Manchester City agree deal with Inter Milan for Vieira?

[Blue Blood]

Make no mistake any signings in January are SOLELY with this season in mind, and should be appreciated as such. No point talking about age, wages, long-term etc we are talking April/May 2010.

Mate why do you say that? Why? That sounds terrible to me if mancini is just planning for 6 months with shitty short term signings from Italy. I mean people moaned about hughes getting his mates in.

My problem with signing Vieira (apart from that he is in the 'has been' mould of citys signings when we were SKINT) is the fact that he will want games, and that may mean someone young, city and quality, like de jong or ireland may miss out. I dont want that. If hes happy to sit on the bench and rotate then fine, but i dont think he will.

Vieira is no has been mate, he's still pretty damn good, I'm sure if he comes here he'll not let Bobby Manc down. Have faith.

[Alex Sapphire]

Make no mistake any signings in January are SOLELY with this season in mind, and should be appreciated as such. No point talking about age, wages, long-term etc we are talking April/May 2010.

Is that you Roberto?
you sound VERY sure of your opinion

[One cap Whitey]

A little birdie just told me Vieira will be at Carrington tomorrow. No great surprise I suppose but he's definitely coming to City.

There was an Italian journo on Five Live last night saying that Mancini wants Vieira to help him get the message accross to the rest of the players about how he wants the team to play. Clearly he's not signing him just because of his football ability but just as much for his influence and direction.

I think he'll be a very good signing.

[Socrates]

A little birdie just told me Vieira will be at Carrington tomorrow. No great surprise I suppose but he's definitely coming to City.

There was an Italian journo on Five Live last night saying that Mancini wants Vieira to help him get the message accross to the rest of the players about how he wants the team to play. Clearly he's not signing him just because of his football ability but just as much for his influence and direction.

I think he'll be a very good signing.

Exactly what I was saying a couple of days back. Mancini wants his "leader" same as he was Sven's.

[Chinners]

Jose Mourinho insists Patrick Vieira has played his last game for Inter as Highbury legend eyes Manchester City move

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho says Manchester City target Patrick Vieira has played his last game for the club.

Vieira has featured just 16 times in all competitions for Inter this season and has been linked with a move away from the San Siro for months.
The former Arsenal captain is now expected to join City on a six-month loan deal by the start of next week with the possibility of an 18-month contract to follow.
Vieira has spoken with his former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, now the boss at Eastlands, and a deal is ‘99 per cent agreed’.
And now Mourinho has confirmed Vieira's 90- minute appearance for Inter in the 1-0 win at Chievo is certain to be his last appearance in an Nerazzurri shirt. Mourinho said: 'I should give a special mention to Vieira, who certainly played his last game with us. 'I don't know where he will go, maybe to England which he likes a lot, but we should thank him for what he has done in these years at Inter.
'The club decided not to renew his contract, which is coming to an end, and to accept the offer of another club.
'I will miss him but I don't have the right to demand anything from a club who has done so much for me.'
City-bound? Vieira looks set to join Manchester City on a six-month loan deal

Other clubs - including Barcelona and Lyon - are also hopeful of securing the 33-year-old's services, but it is believed City represent the greatest opportunity of regular first-team football for Vieira.

[Mr Miyagi]

Why are people proposing Vieira as a potential cover for De Jong?

They are different types of player. Vieira is not a "sit in front of the back four" midfielder. He is a box to box midfielder. His forte is getting the ball deep, turning, and driving at the opposition. When he played for Arsenal it was Emmanual Petit who used to sit deep, not Vieira. If anything, he is more like Barry as a player than De Jong.

I understand the need for cover for De Jong but there are two flaws in the argument:
1) Vieira is not that type of player
2) Even if he was, there are better players out there for that role e.g. Mascherano

[10.Goater_Legend]

Why are people proposing Vieira as a potential cover for De Jong?

They are different types of player. Vieira is not a "sit in front of the back four" midfielder. He is a box to box midfielder. His forte is getting the ball deep, turning, and driving at the opposition. When he played for Arsenal it was Emmanual Petit who used to sit deep, not Vieira. If anything, he is more like Barry as a player than De Jong.

I understand the need for cover for De Jong but there are two flaws in the argument:
1) Vieira is not that type of player
2) Even if he was, there are better players out there for that role e.g. Mascherano

Spot on.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Make no mistake any signings in January are SOLELY with this season in mind, and should be appreciated as such. No point talking about age, wages, long-term etc we are talking April/May 2010.

Mate why do you say that? Why? That sounds terrible to me if mancini is just planning for 6 months with shitty short term signings from Italy. I mean people moaned about hughes getting his mates in.

My problem with signing Vieira (apart from that he is in the 'has been' mould of citys signings when we were SKINT) is the fact that he will want games, and that may mean someone young, city and quality, like de jong or ireland may miss out. I dont want that. If hes happy to sit on the bench and rotate then fine, but i dont think he will.

Difference is Mancini's shitty mates have following trophy cabinet.

Honours
Arsenal

Winner

* Premier League (3): 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04
* FA Cup (4): 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
* FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Runner-up

* Premier League (5): 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05
* FA Cup: 2001
* FA Community Shield: 2003
* UEFA Cup Final: 2000

Juventus

* Serie A: 2005-06 (Trophy revoked due to Calciopoli scandal)

Internazionale

Winner

* Serie A (3): 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
* Italian Super Cup (2): 2006, 2008

International

Winner

* FIFA World Cup: 1998
* UEFA European Championship: 2000
* FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001

Runner-up

* FIFA World Cup: 2006

Individual

* UEFA Football Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000
* 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup: Top Scorer
* FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006
* PFA Team of the Year: 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2000-01
* French Player of the Year: 2001
* Overall Team of the Decade - Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 - 2001/2)
* FIFA 100

Orders and special awards

* Légion d'honneur: 1998

[Original Dub]

Make no mistake any signings in January are SOLELY with this season in mind, and should be appreciated as such. No point talking about age, wages, long-term etc we are talking April/May 2010.

Mate why do you say that? Why? That sounds terrible to me if mancini is just planning for 6 months with shitty short term signings from Italy. I mean people moaned about hughes getting his mates in.

My problem with signing Vieira (apart from that he is in the 'has been' mould of citys signings when we were SKINT) is the fact that he will want games, and that may mean someone young, city and quality, like de jong or ireland may miss out. I dont want that. If hes happy to sit on the bench and rotate then fine, but i dont think he will.

Difference is Mancini's shitty mates have following trophy cabinet.

Honours
Arsenal

Winner

* Premier League (3): 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04
* FA Cup (4): 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
* FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Runner-up

* Premier League (5): 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05
* FA Cup: 2001
* FA Community Shield: 2003
* UEFA Cup Final: 2000

Juventus

* Serie A: 2005-06 (Trophy revoked due to Calciopoli scandal)

Internazionale

Winner

* Serie A (3): 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
* Italian Super Cup (2): 2006, 2008

International

Winner

* FIFA World Cup: 1998
* UEFA European Championship: 2000
* FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001

Runner-up

* FIFA World Cup: 2006

Individual

* UEFA Football Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000
* 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup: Top Scorer
* FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006
* PFA Team of the Year: 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2000-01
* French Player of the Year: 2001
* Overall Team of the Decade - Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 - 2001/2)
* FIFA 100

Orders and special awards

* Légion d'honneur: 1998

Fuck it, we may as well get Mancini to lace up his boots then.
That Pele guy was decent and the way Maradonna's annoying the Argie FA, maybe we could get him too?

I think the reason Nick is saying "shitty" is because Vieira is not good enough anymore. Wenger knows this, regardless of what he said the other day. Arsenal have missed a Vieira type player since he left, but you don't see him going back for him, do you?

Also - you should list Veron's honours too, because he's the other player Mancini wanted. Another shitty target IMO.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Make no mistake any signings in January are SOLELY with this season in mind, and should be appreciated as such. No point talking about age, wages, long-term etc we are talking April/May 2010.

Mate why do you say that? Why? That sounds terrible to me if mancini is just planning for 6 months with shitty short term signings from Italy. I mean people moaned about hughes getting his mates in.

My problem with signing Vieira (apart from that he is in the 'has been' mould of citys signings when we were SKINT) is the fact that he will want games, and that may mean someone young, city and quality, like de jong or ireland may miss out. I dont want that. If hes happy to sit on the bench and rotate then fine, but i dont think he will.

Difference is Mancini's shitty mates have following trophy cabinet.

Honours
Arsenal

Winner

* Premier League (3): 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04
* FA Cup (4): 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
* FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Runner-up

* Premier League (5): 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05
* FA Cup: 2001
* FA Community Shield: 2003
* UEFA Cup Final: 2000

Juventus

* Serie A: 2005-06 (Trophy revoked due to Calciopoli scandal)

Internazionale

Winner

* Serie A (3): 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
* Italian Super Cup (2): 2006, 2008

International

Winner

* FIFA World Cup: 1998
* UEFA European Championship: 2000
* FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001

Runner-up

* FIFA World Cup: 2006

Individual

* UEFA Football Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000
* 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup: Top Scorer
* FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006
* PFA Team of the Year: 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2000-01
* French Player of the Year: 2001
* Overall Team of the Decade - Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 - 2001/2)
* FIFA 100

Orders and special awards

* Légion d'honneur: 1998

Fuck it, we may as well get Mancini to lace up his boots then.
That Pele guy was decent and the way Maradonna's annoying the Argie FA, maybe we could get him too?

I think the reason Nick is saying "shitty" is because Vieira is not good enough anymore. Wenger knows this, regardless of what he said the other day. Arsenal have missed a Vieira type player since he left, but you don't see him going back for him, do you?

Also - you should list Veron's honours too, because he's the other player Mancini wanted. Another shitty target IMO.

Not good enough? You obviously haven't been watching him in recent seasons.

And none of the players you mentioned have trophy cabinet anything like Vieiras.

[Grob]

Vieira still has that aura about him. Experienced leader. A winner.

The fact that he can still play a bit is a bonus.

No problem with me, sign him up. Central midfield is the area of the team where we have the least depth. Only De Jong, Barry and Ireland at a push can perform there at a high standard in our squad currently.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Vieira still has that aura about him. Experienced leader. A winner.

The fact that he can still play a bit is a bonus.

No problem with me, sign him up. Central midfield is the area of the team where we have the least depth. Only De Jong, Barry and Ireland at a push can perform there at a high standard in our squad currently.

Exactly.

[OliverHardy]

if he is as good as this youtube clip shows then lets get the kid signed up!

[youtube]<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VKhZucYO7YI&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VKhZucYO7YI&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>[/youtube]

[bluej]

Not good enough? You obviously haven't been watching him in recent seasons.

And none of the players you mentioned have trophy cabinet anything like Vieiras.

Whilst I don't doubt his talent I am very concerned about whether he still has enough pace for the Premier League.

There's no one out there with his experience, that we could realistically sign.

[Beefymcfc]

For all you 'Special One' followers, can you please explain what this means:

'The club decided not to renew his contract, which is coming to an end, and to accept the offer of another club.

Does this mean someone has agreed a sum?

'I will miss him but I don't have the right to demand anything from a club who has done so much for me.'

Is this Jose's or Vieira's statement? If Jose's, who is the club that has done so much from him?

[The Man In Blue]

someone above said he isn't a "holding mf", more of a "box to box" type.

is it unheard of for a player to adapt his game as he gets older? remember sinisia mihaijovic (sic? him of the free-kicks). sure he started out as a CM but ended up as a pretty useful sweeper/CB. someone of vieira's quality would have little trouble adjusting to losing a yard or two imo. Didi the Marlboro Man is another example, also another german Lothar Mattheus.

[Mr Miyagi]

someone above said he isn't a "holding mf", more of a "box to box" type.

is it unheard of for a player to adapt his game as he gets older? remember sinisia mihaijovic (sic? him of the free-kicks). sure he started out as a CM but ended up as a pretty useful sweeper/CB. someone of vieira's quality would have little trouble adjusting to losing a yard or two imo. Didi the Marlboro Man is another example, also another german Lothar Mattheus.

A fair point to bring up. I accept the point about Mattheus moving back to sweeper. However Hamann was always a deep lying midfielder.

I made the post because people were talking about him being the ideal cover for De Jong, but traditionally Vieira is not that type of player. I was trying to remind people about Vieira's background. Perhaps Mancini does have something in mind about changing Vieira's positioning.... but based on what we have seen so far Vieira is not that type of player.

[Spurge]

we have more than enough defensive midfielders, Nige, Barry and Kompany. Its defenders we need. The Vieira signing doesn't make any sense.

As I've already said, Vieira is Mr Right Now.
at the moment, we need Vinny to play in defence.
An Injury to Nige or Barry and we're short on midfielders. It makes perfect sense, as long as its a loan deal.

Exactly right!

[Original Dub]

Make no mistake any signings in January are SOLELY with this season in mind, and should be appreciated as such. No point talking about age, wages, long-term etc we are talking April/May 2010.

Mate why do you say that? Why? That sounds terrible to me if mancini is just planning for 6 months with shitty short term signings from Italy. I mean people moaned about hughes getting his mates in.

My problem with signing Vieira (apart from that he is in the 'has been' mould of citys signings when we were SKINT) is the fact that he will want games, and that may mean someone young, city and quality, like de jong or ireland may miss out. I dont want that. If hes happy to sit on the bench and rotate then fine, but i dont think he will.

Difference is Mancini's shitty mates have following trophy cabinet.

Honours
Arsenal

Winner

* Premier League (3): 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04
* FA Cup (4): 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
* FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

Runner-up

* Premier League (5): 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05
* FA Cup: 2001
* FA Community Shield: 2003
* UEFA Cup Final: 2000

Juventus

* Serie A: 2005-06 (Trophy revoked due to Calciopoli scandal)

Internazionale

Winner

* Serie A (3): 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
* Italian Super Cup (2): 2006, 2008

International

Winner

* FIFA World Cup: 1998
* UEFA European Championship: 2000
* FIFA Confederations Cup: 2001

Runner-up

* FIFA World Cup: 2006

Individual

* UEFA Football Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000
* 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup: Top Scorer
* FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006
* PFA Team of the Year: 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2000-01
* French Player of the Year: 2001
* Overall Team of the Decade - Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992/3 - 2001/2)
* FIFA 100

Orders and special awards

* Légion d'honneur: 1998

Fuck it, we may as well get Mancini to lace up his boots then.
That Pele guy was decent and the way Maradonna's annoying the Argie FA, maybe we could get him too?

I think the reason Nick is saying "shitty" is because Vieira is not good enough anymore. Wenger knows this, regardless of what he said the other day. Arsenal have missed a Vieira type player since he left, but you don't see him going back for him, do you?

Also - you should list Veron's honours too, because he's the other player Mancini wanted. Another shitty target IMO.

Not good enough? You obviously haven't been watching him in recent seasons.

And none of the players you mentioned have trophy cabinet anything like Vieiras.

Well then I guess Vieira must have been a better player than them all, eh?

Maybe Wenger and Mourinho haven't been watching him in recent seasons because they simply don't want him.

I know this is a Vieira thread, but you seem to be dodging the fact that Mancini approached Veron as well - how do you feel about that?

A midfield of Veron and Veira. Its like a fantasy football pick from nearly 15 years ago.

[Blue Blood]

someone above said he isn't a "holding mf", more of a "box to box" type.

is it unheard of for a player to adapt his game as he gets older? remember sinisia mihaijovic (sic? him of the free-kicks). sure he started out as a CM but ended up as a pretty useful sweeper/CB. someone of vieira's quality would have little trouble adjusting to losing a yard or two imo. Didi the Marlboro Man is another example, also another german Lothar Mattheus.

A fair point to bring up. I accept the point about Mattheus moving back to sweeper. However Hamann was always a deep lying midfielder.

I made the post because people were talking about him being the ideal cover for De Jong, but traditionally Vieira is not that type of player. I was trying to remind people about Vieira's background. Perhaps Mancini does have something in mind about changing Vieira's positioning.... but based on what we have seen so far Vieira is not that type of player.

Agreed Vieira isn't a natural holding midfielder BUT at Inter they have used him in this role when he has played not as a box to box player, so he can play there. That said he hasn't played anywhere near as good in this position at inter as he does in a box to box role like he did at Arsenal, so i'd expect him to revert to the box to box player of old with us rather than be a holding mid.

I actually think he's probably being brought in as competition for barry rather than de jong. As we know barry is carrying a niggley groin injury and his performances have been hit and miss at times this season so the competition will probably do him good.