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Vieira hints at retirement
Former Arsenal skipper could be close to calling it a day

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has indicated he could call time on his playing career as early as the end of the season.

The 34-year-old Frenchman, a former Arsenalcaptain, has enjoyed a sparkling career, playing almost 300 games during a nine-year spell with the Gunners.

Vieira, who established himself as one of the world's top midfielders under Arsene Wenger,has won over 100 caps for France and celebrated World Cup glory with his country in 1998.

But the veteran, who played for Juventus and Inter Milan before arriving at Eastlands, has hinted he could hang up his boots in the near future.

"At 34, it is complicated," Vieira told L'Equipe. "I have a great chance to finish here at Manchester City this season or next."

Vieira, who won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups at Arsenal, as well as four Serie A titles at Inter Milan, was expected to play little more than a bit-part role in Roberto Mancini'sstar-studded City squad this term.

However, he has featured in five games so far this season, scoring during City's 1-1 draw against Blackburn last month.

He's doing well to still be playing at age 34 considering his legs went 4 years ago.

Will prob stay on to keep up our record as having more coaches than Finglands.

Goaters 103 wrote:He's doing well to still be playing at age 34 considering his legs went 4 years ago.

Will prob stay on to keep up our record as having more coaches than Finglands.

And he's probably closer to 50.

Slim wrote:

Goaters 103 wrote:He's doing well to still be playing at age 34 considering his legs went 4 years ago.

Will prob stay on to keep up our record as having more coaches than Finglands.

And he's probably closer to 50.

George Weah certainly was when he turned out so its possible.

Slim wrote:

Goaters 103 wrote:He's doing well to still be playing at age 34 considering his legs went 4 years ago.

Will prob stay on to keep up our record as having more coaches than Finglands.

And he's probably closer to 50.

Certainly looks it. Think he is married to somebody ancient as well

Based on performances this season, I don't understand the constant chipping away at Vieira.

Guy Debord wrote:Based on performances this season, I don't understand the constant chipping away at Vieira.

Likewise. Done the job asked for him very well this season.

His job has been to play on occasion so that somebody else could be ersted so on that basis he has done his job. More likley he has been doing his job well in the background and "locker" room. But as for his performances on the pich he should have retired a while ago. Great that he scored against BBurn but a shame that he was part of why we didn't beat them.

ross.mcfc wrote:

Guy Debord wrote:Based on performances this season, I don't understand the constant chipping away at Vieira.

Likewise. Done the job asked for him very well this season.

Paddy has been getting it in the neck since day 1. Probably the most contentious free transfer ever. Plays, doesn't play, retires - still can't work up the interest to care much.

He's been brought in to do a job, and he is doing a job. Some people need to realise that today's game is a squad game and not everyone who is brought to the club has been brought here to be a star man and to win us games.

Long live vieira!

Whenever I see Vieira playing for us, he seems a little slow, but a good passer and intelligent in the way he positions himself and the runs he makes. And there's the occasional defence splitting ball or goal, too. Really can't get my head around all the hatred towards him- every time we play poorly it's immediately "FFS Vieira". Suppose we need a scapegoat.

Colin the King wrote:Whenever I see Vieira playing for us, he seems a little slow, but a good passer and intelligent in the way he positions himself and the runs he makes. And there's the occasional defence splitting ball or goal, too. Really can't get my head around all the hatred towards him- every time we play poorly it's immediately "FFS Vieira". Suppose we need a scapegoat.

He destroys our pace in attack, I have seen Milner and Barry do the same and am not happy about it when they do it either, but the problem with him is it's a constant. If an attack goes through Vieira it loses all momentum and tends to peter out to nothing.

ross.mcfc wrote:

Guy Debord wrote:Based on performances this season, I don't understand the constant chipping away at Vieira.

Likewise. Done the job asked for him very well this season.

Me neither. He comes off the bench and consistently has done what is expected of him. Also, I don't even want to think what would've happened if it wasn't for his equaliser against Blackburn.

But hey ho, like I said before the season, it's great to have solid boo boy, someone experienced and who isn't pencilled to feature regularily. Will take the pressure off some of the younger players and newcomers. Otherwise someone might've noticed that Silva has been quite poor for example. It's good for the team that people concentrate on Vieira rather than Silva and give him time to bed. Which will take at least a season I'd say.

kidd out Vieira in is my hunch