'We can win the league' - Vieira

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Ambition and a dream to win more silverware are what have prompted Patrick Vieira to leave Italy and return to the Premier League.

And speaking exclusively to mcfc.co.uk in his first interview in since joining the Blues, the 33-year-old French legend has urged his new teammates to reach for the stars.

“The squad is packed full of quality that is why I believe the ambition should be high,” he declared.

"We should not be afraid to say that we
are good enough to win the league
because we are and as a team we
should believe we can do it"

“At Arsenal one year we won the title from 15 points behind at Christmas. Everything is possible.”

Vieira has taken the squad number 24 and will be reunited with former Highbury teammates Kolo Toure and Sylvinho.

The midfielder signed off from Inter with a typically forceful performance in Wednesday’s 1-0 Serie A away win over Chievo and then signed on to a six month deal with the Blues and a reunion with former Inter boss Roberto Mancini.

“I came back to England because I think City is really exciting club with big ambition,” he went on.

“I still have dreams in football and one of them is to come back to the Premier League and win something.

“We can achieve something really special here. I want to convince the City board and the City players and fans that I didn’t come here just to spend six months.

“I have come here to give something to the club. I believe that I still have a lot to give and I believe the team is strong enough to win trophies.”

Having begun his career with Cannes and then played briefly at AC Milan, the 6’3” Senegal-born midfielder made 279 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side.

During his time at Highbury he won three Premier League titles and lifted the FA Cup four times. He was also an integral part of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side that went unbeaten throughout the entire 2003-4 Premier League season.

In Italy with Juventus and Inter he won four league titles (one of which was taken away from Juve), and two Italian Super Cups. Vieira has 107 France caps to his name, having won both the World Cup in 1998 and European Championships in 2000.

Watch his first interview in full on video on http://www.mcfc.co.uk later this afternoon.

[Beeks]

Go on Paddy...that's what I like to hear

[Ted Hughes]

He's right too but we need a 2 month run of almost maximum points if we're to do it, starting Monday.

[lets all have a disco]

Must have pre rang and got a good dealer in Manchester.
Nice idea Patty lad and would love to see it happen,top four will be just fine for now if we dont go on a mad 4 month unbeaten run.

[ronk]

10 points behind Chelsea with a game in hand. It's not that far fetched. We'd need to up it a level though.

[feedthegreek]

liverpool v spurs sunday is off,
so that makes mondays match v blackburn our game in hand
on those two. we need to win.

[avoidconfusion]

I love his optimism but I cannot see us win the league. Top 4 finish I can see though. :)

[Ted Hughes]

I love his optimism but I cannot see us win the league. Top 4 finish I can see though. :)

The point is, although it's unlikely, it's possible. If the rags were in our place they'd think they were in with a good chance even with their present shower of shite& that belief would transmit to intimidate a lot their opposition.

[The Man In Blue]

The point is, although it's unlikely, it's possible. If the rags were in our place they'd think they were in with a good chance even with their present shower of shite& that belief would transmit to intimidate a lot their opposition.

good point - think we can see some of the reason for vieira coming in.

if its mathematically possible, its possible.

[carolina-blue]

I love his optimism but I cannot see us win the league. Top 4 finish I can see though. :)

The point is, although it's unlikely, it's possible. If the rags were in our place they'd think they were in with a good chance even with their present shower of shite& that belief would transmit to intimidate a lot their opposition.

Good point , Also him saying it and believing it will transmit through our squad.

[Blue Blood]

Must have pre rang and got a good dealer in Manchester.
Nice idea Patty lad and would love to see it happen,top four will be just fine for now if we dont go on a mad 4 month unbeaten run.

If theres one man who knows what an "unbeaten run" takes, its our pat, so don't rule anything out i say!

He really seems to have the bit between his teeth atm, you could see the desire to succeed in his press conference. he really wants to win stuff here.

[london blue 2]

He's right too but we need a 2 month run of almost maximum points if we're to do it, starting Monday.

what he said. every game is a pressure game now!

[CityFanFromRome]

I love his optimism but I cannot see us win the league. Top 4 finish I can see though. :)

If you aim for top spot tho, you can fall short and still be in the top four which was the real target for the season. If you aim fourth and fall short you end out of the CL.

[JB]

The TREBLE is on!!! HAHA!!!

[ruralblue]

Winning mentality can only be good. Also the desire to win by Mancini is very positive and can hopefully bring good things.

I would be chuffed to bits with a top four finish but to push as hard for a higher spot is miles better.

[Lev Bronstein]

Damn right Paddy - we're still in three competitions, keep winning games and we can dust off the trophy cabinet. We should be afraid of no one.

[Citizen of Oslo]

I can't remember the last time a City player said this when he signed. And no reason not to take it seriously. It's sweet music to my ears.

[Rag_hater]

The TREBLE is on!!! HAHA!!!

Ditto

[Lee_R]

These last few weeks have certainly changed the mentallity of Manchester City.. now there seems to be a true belief that we can win anything and everything.. infact I bet most would feel disapointed if we didnt win at least one trophy this season. Things have certainly changed for the better. After all these years of promises and false starts.. now its time.

[dazlebluefrog]

i love the way he says "we" ,as though he's been here years, being half frog when was the last time a team won the prem without a frog in the team,squad?