Roy Keane, John Terry, Tony Adams… And Vincent Kompany.
Man City’s departing veteran has earned his seat next to those famous title-winning captains from yesteryear.
And Pep Guardiola will have his work cut out trying to replace the leadership he possessed in the dressing room.
Here are four potential suitors to Kompany’s blue throne.
1 – David Silva
While the Spanish midfielder doesn’t have the bullish aura of his former captain, he certainly knows all the nooks and crannies around the Etihad.
Silva’s contract runs out at the end of next season, so it may well be his tenth and last campaign blessing the Premier League.
It would be a poetic finale if the 33-year-old could captain Man City to their third consecutive title.
The question is whether Guardiola will be looking to the long term or if the popular, yet introverted Silva is the man to fill the enormous void left by the departing Kompany.
2 – Fernandinho
The Brazilian’s credentials for the job are not dissimilar to Silva’s.
He has over five years experience at the club and 49 caps in the heart of the Brazil national side.
At 34 years of age and with the master of rotation as his boss, you wonder if Fernandinho is guaranteed to be playing enough to captain the side.
Having said that, Kompany only started 19 games in all competitions and led his side to their first domestic treble.
3 – Kevin De Bruyne
Kompany’s compatriot would appear an outsider for the armband.
De Bruyne has been given the responsibility on a few occasions over the last two seasons, usually when others have been substituted.
The midfielder was the run-away leader in a captaincy poll conducted by MEN Sport.
They asked over 2000 Man City fans who they wanted to replace Kompany as skipper and 48% opted for the 27-year-old Belgian.
4 – Sergio Aguero
The Argentinian striker signed for Man City back in 2011 and has been integral to their success ever since.
Aguero is the third longest serving player for Man City, behind Kompany and Silva.
While the potent forward doesn’t appear to own the characteristics to make a captain, he has the valuable experience and at the age of 30 he has a few years more to offer than Silva.
Phil Foden will have his sights on becoming the long-term captain as an academy graduate and lifelong City fan.
His time may well come, but not at the age of 18.
Pep may also have his sights set on the transfer market but it is rare for a new arrival to become captain at any club.
Both John Stones and Kyle Walker may also have a claim as experienced English Premier League players.
How much Kompany’s personality in the dressing room has influenced their ridiculous form over the past two seasons remains to be seen.
Man City will definitely miss their giant at the back for more reason than one.
But now is the time for one of the other members of the old guard to step up and fill those humongous boots.
Does anyone else at Man City wear size 15’s?
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