Vincent Kompany Injury Leaves Manchester City with January Transfer Dilemma

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will be out for around a month with a calf injury, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed.

Speaking after his side’s 0-0 draw with Leicester City, a result that saw them move back into third and three points off top spot, Pellegrini said the Belgian had suffered another calf problem, but this time in a different area.

“Vincent has an injury, a second degree tear of the calf,” the City manager said. “We will see how long he will be out, but I don’t think it will be less than three to four weeks.

"It is the same calf but a different part.

“I am not a doctor, but with a muscle injury, it will be very difficult for him to be back in less than four weeks. But without him, we must continue to defend as did tonight.”

"

On another day maybe our first half would have produced a few goals but overall the lads played well, got a point and a clean sheet. #mcfc

— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) December 29, 2015"

It’s a significant blow to City’s chances of silverware. The defender is likely to miss all of January, which includes four Premier League games, an FA Cup third-round trip to Norwich City and a two-legged Capital One Cup semi-final with Everton.

It’s a period that looks set to define the club’s chances of silverware, and without their captain, City are much less prepared for success.

His organisation and leadership are key. The draw with Leicester was City’s first clean sheet of the season without Kompany in the side. When he is playing, they look significantly better equipped to defend solidly as a team.

It leaves Pellegrini needing a solution in January. A big-money, long-term buy is unlikely during the midseason window, but perhaps the club can identify a short-term option who can have the same kind of impact Martin Demichelis had in his first two seasons at the club. Such a move could tide City over until the summer when a bid for Everton's John Stones will surely be a priority. 

Eliaquim Mangala performed much better against Leicester than he has in recent weeks, but his form has been erratic throughout his 18 months at the club. 

"

#mcfc's clean sheet against #lcfc was their first in the #BPL this season without Vincent Kompany in the line-up pic.twitter.com/YPyIR9pMIx

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 30, 2015"

City have now gone six Premier League games without a win on the road—a record that threatens their title challenge. Since their victory at Crystal Palace on September 12, they have taken just three points from a possible 18, scoring two goals in the process.

However, while many of those displays have been limp and insipid, City at least played with some verve at the King Power Stadium, dominating for large periods and moving the ball much quicker and more purposefully than they have been.

Ultimately, though, they ran into staunch Leicester resistance, and Arsene Wenger will have been smiling somewhere in north London as he watched his two closest title challengers take points off one another.

"

This how the top of the #BPL looks at the halfway stage of the season... pic.twitter.com/ybMirux1Oh

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 30, 2015"

Robert Huth, Wes Morgan, N’Golo Kante and Kasper Schmeichel, the former Blues goalkeeper, were all in excellent form as Leicester repelled everything City threw at them.

The Foxes have taken 67 points from 38 matches in 2015. It’s been a special story and one that could take on even more significance should they manage UEFA Champions League qualification.

"

STATS: The numeric tale of #foxesvcity. #mcfc pic.twitter.com/0shsTsny8b

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 29, 2015"

For City, their overreliance on certain players must surely be a worry. This is a club with plenty of financial muscle and a dedicated player-recruitment team. Why is the fitness of Sergio Aguero and Kompany seemingly so vital?

Aguero is struggling to return to his explosive best after his recent injury lay-off, and, as a result, City lack ruthlessness in attack.

He should have had a penalty after being brought down by Gokhan Inler in the second half, but the referee, who clearly felt his reaction was over the top, waved play on.

The Argentinian, probably frustrated by his own lack of sharpness as much as anything, expressed his anger to the fourth official when he was withdrawn after 64 minutes.

City’s priority now is to get Aguero back to his optimum level and, perhaps, look for defensive reinforcements during January. 

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.