8 Most Influential Players In The Premier League Right Now

5. Vincent Kompany - Manchester City

Over the last three or four years, Kompany has grown and grown as a player. He has captained Manchester City to two league titles in the last three seasons, and he has firmly established himself as both one of the world's finest centre-backs and one of the best defenders in Premier League history. His importance to City cannot be underestimated. The Belgium star is a colossal defender on his day, showing great pace, strength, leadership and, most of all, influence. When he is out injured, which can be a little too often at times, Manuel Pellegrini's side look horribly vulnerable, with players like Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala not even close to the 28-year-old's level. Down the years there have been some wonderful centre-back to have captained their respective sides to glory, including Terry, Tony Adams and Nemanja Vidic, and Kompany is right up there with that elite group. If City are to have any chance of closing the gap on Chelsea at the top of the league, their inspirational skipper will have to stay fit and in form.