I am fed up reading that Patrick Viera wants to go back to the Premier League and play for Arsenal or Spurs. Just shut up and go!
Viera had a chance to leave earlier this summer but did not. He decided to stay at Inter, even when it was apparent that he was no longer good enough to start for Inter in the big games. In other words, he would be a role player.
So it was not a big surprise this week when France coach Raymond Domenech did not include Viera in his squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria. Virera was not happy at this and told sports daily L’Equipe:
“My situation seems to be complicated because I do not play. But I do not want to draw any conclusion before December. If my situation does not evolve, I will make the necessary decisions.” Asked whether he would leave Inter during the winter transfer window, he said: “If nothing changes, yes.”
As expected the ‘Special One” was not amused by Viera’s statement about his lack of playing time noting that before the Udinese game Viera had been on the pitch almost 300 minutes (in all competitions) since the start of the season and has played six games, three from the start.
Patrick, you were a great player when you were younger. But you are no longer that player. If you think that by moving to London you will be able to get back into the French national team I have some news for you. You are not good enough anymore to break into the starting line-up of Arsenal or Spurs.
If you stay in Milan at least you have a chance of winning something this year, which is something you will not do in North London.
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Viera was seen at Chel-Liverpool match yesterday. At 33 yrs old, he is not considerable too old to be a defensive MF. Makelele played this role at Chel until the age of 35 yrs old.
Out of the 3 competitive matches Viera started, there are 1 win, 1 draw & 1 loss. This will be 4 pts out of a possible 9. This result is definitely not good enough for Inter.
Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but I think you, David, are too harsh on Vieira. He is still good enough player not only for Arsenal or Spurs, but for Inter too. Of course, he is not as good as he used to be at his prime, but he is a very capable midfielder even now. The problem for him is Cambiasso, Muntari, Javier Zanetti, Thiago Motta, Stankovic are all ahead of him on roster. And considering presense of young guys like Krhin and Obi, who will get some playing time soon enough, there is really not much room for Vieira.
At the same time, the fact that Mourinho plays him quite often so far also tells me, that Mourinho thinks he can play. If he wouldn’t think so he would use more of 4-3-3 when have to or play Zanetti and even Chivu (when Cambiasso, Motta are/were injured) in midfield with Santon (we all know) capable to play full-back at high level. Instead, while Maicon is out, he preferred to play Chivu and Zanetti in defense, while giving Vieira to play.
Also sometimes a player need the right atmosphere and/or complete trust of the coach to play better (at any age)… I can find a bunch of examples… Juan Sebastian Veron was not as good last few years in Europe (in England and Inter), but found a fountain of youth in Argentina…
The great Roberto Baggio came back twice from “getting old” label in his career: in Bologna after AC Milan, and in Brescia after Inter…
i agree that Viera is good enough for Inter in spots, maybe to start a game here and there, but as you pointed out, he is maybe 6th the sixth best midfielder on the squad. My feeling is that he is making too much noise for someone who is a part-time player if everyone is fit.
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