Manchester City fans were left reeling after club legend Vincent Kompany named Virgil van Dijk as the best centre-back in Premier League history.
Kompany made 265 appearances for City winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League cups between 2008 and 2019.
The defender was speaking ahead of his testimonial match, set to take place tonight at the Etihad, when he was asked where he ranked among the all-time best centre-backs from the Premier League era.
"I never try to compare," Kompany said.
"My journey is different, I’ve had to deal with different tools and.
"For me not to play this game, let’s not escape the irony. So i’ve had to deal with that and I’ve tried to be substantial for my team.
"I would bring it back to Virgil van Dijk, he’s not been on the scene as long as Terry, Ferdinand who have been around for a long time but the signs he’s shown in the last few years show if he had been around longer he’d have been at the top for a long time.
"The Liverpool before Van Dijk and after are a completely different set up so, I’ll give him that one."
CLICK HERE for today's latest Liverpool transfer news as Philippe Coutinho confirms Jurgen Klopp contact
Van Dijk is favourite to win the Balon d'Or for his incredible exploits at Anfield last season, winning the Champions League and totally transforming the Reds defence.
Some Manchester City fans were fuming on social media that Kompany considered the Dutchman as the competition's best centre-back ever.
Good old Mancunian sarcasm
— SIMON O’BRIEN (@sizzler_nizz) September 11, 2019
This is a joke right? In all time he’s not top 5
— Neil Dines (@Dines_11) September 11, 2019
No no.. Take it back vinny
— Sagar (@that_evil_laugh) September 11, 2019
Take it back Vinny
— Razman (@razman14) September 11, 2019
All proceeds from ticket sales for Kompany's testimonial will go to Tackle4MCR - the initiative Kompany set up to address rough sleeping and homelessness.
