Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City new boy Viera insists Italy spell made him a better player
[LNB] Patrick Vieira believes he is a better player now than he was when he left thePremier League four-and-a-half years ago. [LNB]Vieira will make his Manchester City debut against Blackburn at Eastlandstomorrow providing he recovers from the niggling calf injury he picked up in hisfinal game for Inter Milan last week. [LNB]The former Arsenal skipper found it difficult enough to impress Jose Mourinhoin Italy, so the perceived wisdom is that he will struggle to adjust to lifeback in England, where the pace tends to be far higher.[LNB] New boy: Patrick Viera and boss Roberto Mancini[LNB]But Vieira has total faith in his ability.And he actually thinks the immense talent he had when he played under ArseneWenger has been improved by his exposure to Serie A. [LNB]'I am a better player for the experiences I have had,' said Vieira. [LNB]'You get better with experience and age and I have been really lucky to playat big clubs. I have learned a lot around big-name players and I have come back to thePremier League a better player than I used to be.' [LNB]Vieira accepts he will not silence the doubters with words alone.Performances are going to be key, although Roberto Mancini has already declaredhis faith in the Frenchman by stressing he expects his first signing as Citychief to be a regular member of his starting line-up. [LNB]He's still got it: Viera at Inter Milan[LNB]Ironically, Vieira spent a significant proportion of his introduction to theEnglish media discussing Mancini. [LNB]While the former Juventus star is a familiar face, having won three leaguetitles with the Gunners and established himself as one of the fiercest PremierLeague enforcers, Mancini is largely an unknown quantity.[LNB]The City boss has already earned a lot of plaudits for the mature way hehandled the furore surrounding Hughes' dismissal. [LNB]And, with three wins from three games in charge, and no goals conceded, Mancinicould hardly have made a better start. [LNB]'Mancini is a winner,' declared Vieira. [LNB]'He is a really ambitious man. He came here because he knows he can achievesomething. He will do everything for the team to be successful and win games.' [LNB]A passionate enough appraisal, without the added, ultimate, compliment. [LNB]'There are similarities between Mancini and Arsene Wenger,' he added. [LNB]'They both like to work on the pitch and like to be next to the players. They manage players and believe in communication. [LNB]'That is really good and Iregard it as a compliment that I am the first player Mancini has brought toCity.' [LNB]Vieira's experience at the highest level should help City keep a cool head whenthe pressure gets ratcheted up towards the end of the season. [LNB]Draws for Arsenal and Manchester United yesterday will only encourage Vieira'sbelief that City could yet end the campaign as champions. [LNB]But for that to happen, City's forwards need to make a big contribution. [LNB] Top Gun: Viera celebrates scoring at Anfield[LNB]Although, technically, Emmanuel Adebayor could be back on club duty nextweekend, the Blues will want to give their £25million forward some breathingspace after his horrific experience in Angola, so the responsibility for scoringwill fall on Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy, Robinho and Carlos Tevez, whoseeight goals in December was enough for him to be crowned Premier League playerof the month. [LNB]The Argentina star is already a firm crowd favourite after dumping Sir AlexFerguson to join the Eastlands outfit last summer.And, having hit such a rich vein of form, he is not going to let the currentfreezing temperatures take the edge off his game.[LNB]'I am used to the cold,' he said. [LNB]'I have lived in England for a few years and it does not affect me too much. Training in the cold is hard. But it is also very intense, which is just whatyou need to bring the best out of yourself.' [LNB] Togo are returning home from the Africa Cup of Nations, says captain Emmanuel AdebayorWe're not selling Micah Richards to Spurs declares Manchester City boss Vieira signs for Man City and declares: 'I want another Premier League title' [LNB]
