'The President' Vincent Kompany is the glue in the ever-changing Man City dressing room

That is the opinion of journalist Henry Winter.

Kompany has become a club legend during nearly a decade at Manchester City.

The 31-year-old has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield since joining City from Hamburg in 2008.

Kompany started during City's 2-0 league opener over Brighton on Saturday and is a hugely influential figure in Pep Guardiola's side.

And the City and Belgium skipper, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, is the glue holding Guardiola's dressing room together and the key man to their title hopes.

"It comes down to keeping Vincent Kompany fit and it's not simply what he brings on the pitch, his organisation and leadership," Winter said on The Times' The Game podcast.

"But it's also he will be be the glue in a changing dressing room and he's such a popular individual.

"'The President' as the Belgians call him, he will be a key man for Manchester City this season. If they keep him fit they should win the title."

Kompany is known as 'The President' in his homeland partly out of respect for his achievements with club and country but also for the perception that he usually gets whatever he wants.

During the final stages of Roberto Mancini's reign as City boss, the Italian and his staff referred to Kompany as 'The Professor' due to his readiness to offer his opinions on any situation.

And after a summer of so much change - City have signed five new players and sold 12 - his influence will be as strong as ever at the Manchester club.