Guardiola needs a new Kompany not Messi

Pep Guardiola needs a new Vincent Kompany, not Lionel Messi, according to Owen Hargreaves.

Pep Guardiola should focus more on strengthening his defence than seek a reunion with Lionel Messi.

City were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon this season. It was their third successive exit in a row at this stage of the competition.

Guardiola put out a perhaps different formation and was evntually undone by his defence.

City have already brought in Nathan Ake as they look to sort their fragility at the back.

Elsewhere in Spain, Lionel Messi is reportedly pushing for an exit from Barca. Further rumors claim he could consider a reunion with Guardiola at Manchester City.

Owen Hargreaves believes the sole priority for City should be fixing the defence and bringing in someone with as much impact as Vincent Kompany while he was at the club.

“I’m sure Pep would take Messi if he could, but he will have seen the impact [Virgil] van Dijk had at Liverpool and realise he needs that kind of player more than anything,” the ex-City midfielder told BT Sport.

“He needs the new Vincent Kompany, a leader who can make or break a game in the tight moments.”

Hargreaves added on City’s defeat to Lyon and Liverpool’s transformation since bringing in Van Dijk and Alisson: “I think Guardiola is the ultimate innovator. That’s what makes him so unique and nine times out of 10 he gets it right.”

“The game against Lyon was probably the first time we’ve seen him try to adapt to the other team. In a way, Pep did what everyone has been urging him to do by being pragmatic.”

“I don’t think he will do it again.”

“The problem for City is that no team wins the Champions League without a world-class defence. Look at how Liverpool went from being a good team to a great team with Allison and Van Dijk.”

“City were probably close to being the best team in the world when they had Vincent Kompany. Pep – along with Klopp – is the best. But if you can’t deal with pressure at certain moments in the game you are going to be found out.”

“If you don’t have a Van Dijk or a Kompany then it’s hard and that’s probably why Pep picked the team he did.”

“Guardiola will get criticised but he knows better than anyone what he needs. He needs a new Vinnie.”