Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has left his role as manager of Anderlecht amid talks with Burnley about becoming the club’s new manager.
The Belgian is on the shortlist of candidates to succeed Sean Dyche at Turf Moor following the Clarets relegation to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season.
The former Citizens centre-back was first named player-manager of the Belgian giants after leaving the Etihad in 2019, but after a difficult start to life in the dugout, Kompany decided to finish the season on the pitch.
In August 2020, Kompany became Anderlecht’s manager once again after announcing his retirement from playing.
The 36-year-old guided the club to fourth-placed finish in his first campaign and this season he went one better, with the club finishing third.
Kompany spent 11 years at the Etihad after arriving from Hamburg, making 360 appearances, and won four Premier League titles during his time with the club.
With Kompany potentially taking up his first managerial position in England, City’s former captain may ask for some favours from his former employees.
TBR takes a look at five Manchester City players Vincent Kompany could target at Burnley.
Manchester City players that Vincent Kompany could target at Burnley
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
With James Tarkowski set to leave the Clarets as a free agent at the end of next month, Burnley will have to fill a gaping hole in their backline.
Tarkowski’s departure after six years with the club is a huge blow and Kompany could look to a player he has already signed once to fill the void.
The England Under-21 international spent the first half of this season on loan at Anderlecht before spending the second half at Championship side Stoke City.
The 20-year-old made 43 appearances this season and after spending time on loan at Blackburn Rovers last year, Harwood-Bellis has plenty of experience under his belt when it comes to playing in the Championship.
James McAtee
While Kompany would likely love to bring Cole Palmer to Turf Moor, Pep Guardiola isn’t likely to let the young starlet leave on loan no matter Kompany’s legacy with the Citizens.
But City may be more willing to let another of their young whizkids depart temporarily this summer.
With Burnley potentially losing the likes of Maxwel Cornet and Dwight McNeil – Kompany is going to need and injection of goals, creativity and quality.
The 19-year-old McAtee has 23 goals and eight assists for the Manchester City Academy sides this season and his 18 goals in Premier League 2 made him this season’s joint top scorer.
A first loan move away from the Etihad under the tutelage of Kompany could see the attacking midfielder shine and impress at senior level.
Liam Delap
Next on TBRs list of Manchester City players that Vincent Kompany could target at Burnley is a striker that has a very impressive goalscoring record at youth level.
From 55 games for City’s youth teams, Delap has netted 46 times and similar to McAtee, the 19-year-old looks ready to test himself week in, week out against senior opposition.
The former Derby County youngster, who made his debut for the England Under-19s side in 2022, could flourish at Turf Moor if Kompany gives him game time.
Tommy Doyle
After gathering experience out on loan at Kompany’s former club Hamburg during the first half of the campaign, the England Under-21 international moved to Cardiff City for the remainder of the season in January.
The 20-year-old may have struggled for game time in Germany, but with the Bluebirds – Doyle started 17 Championship matches, scored two goals and laid on three assists during his period in Wales.
The technically-gifted, all-action midfielder has shown he can excel and shine in the Championship and those qualities could potentially be an asset for Kompany’s Clarets.
Kayky
Manchester City signed the Brazilian wonderkid, who has already been compared to Neymar, from Fluminense for an initial £8.5m at the age of 17.
The forward who made his Premier League debut against Norwich in February scored six goals and provided four assists from 13 Premier League 2 games this season.
In order for the teenager to acclimatise to the rigours of English football, a season on loan at Lancashire in the Championship could be exactly what the starlet needs to aid his development.
Signing Kayky on loan could potentially be a masterstroke by Kompany and it could be a move that provides real dividends for all parties.