Kompany fears 'Russian roulette'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Anderlecht prodigy Vincent Kompany believes that a move to a leading European club like Manchester United would be like "playing Russian roulette".
Kompany, 17, caught the eye of the United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, in the Champions' League match against Celtic in Glasgow but says the speculation is not welcome at this stage of his career.
The son of a Congolese father and a Belgian mother, Kompany told the French newspaper L'Equipe: "All this speculation is not beneficial. It is an extra pressure people are imposing on me. I am only 17 but I am capable of knowing what is good for me. Today I do not have the maturity to play two big matches a week. With Anderlecht I play one every fortnight. That's enough.
"If I left it would be putting a part of my learning process to one side. It would be like playing Russian roulette."
Kompany admits he is flattered by reports that call him the "Belgian Desailly" after the French international defender Marcel Desailly.
"It's flattering, that's for sure," Kompany said. "But to accept the compliment at my age would be arrogant."
Kompany, studying for his baccalaureate at a Flemish-speaking school in Brussels even though he is a French-speaker, said his parents wanted him to concentrate on his studies. Referring to his parents he said: "They would be just as proud of me if I succeeded in my studies."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments