Vieira to Captain France if he gets a run of games with Manchester City

February 14th, 2010 | by: jeff |

Trying to predict France’s first 11 for the World Cup this summer?

Manchester-City-v-Bolton--001

Here’s the latest from Domenech on the subject (quotes posted yesterday on Sky Sports):

“If he gets a run of matches Patrick Vieira is the captain of the France team,” he told Orange Sport. “He has just started playing again. Don’t do what you normally do, a player has a good match so he has to be in the France team, then he has a bad match, you have to drop him from the France team. What matters, and Pat knows it, is that he gets a run of matches. That’s what he says. I definitely don’t have any doubts about his qualities. And he knows that and we are in complete agreement because we have discussed it at length. What matters is that he gets a run of matches and if he gets a run of matches, Patrick Vieira is the captain of the France team and that’s it. There’s not even a debate.”

Presumably, we’d still be discussing how poorly Lassana Diarra played as Vieira’s stand-in in France’s last World Cup Qualifier, but for something else that stole the headlines.

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alex

Vierra may have the experience, but I don’t even think he should make the squad, let alone captain it. Perhaps Les Bleus could turn to Evra, who seems to be getting some opportunities as captain of Man U.
Jeff

It’s very hard for me to be objective about Vieira because I like him so much. He does seem to be a bit over the hill, and we could see that in his performances for France as far back as 2005 or so when he was in there with Makalele and the net sum drive from central midfield was zero.

Then he pulled out some good (and one great) performances at the 2006 World Cup (before hobbling off injured).

It’s very easy to make a case for his exclusion, but it’s also easy, for me at least, to pin hopes on Big Pat, because the guy is a beast on his day (at least he was back in 2002).
Jean-Michel

Viera’s ‘run of games’ will have to start after his 3 match ban for kicking that guy in the nuts.
Jeff

Well put, Jean-Michel.
Aditya

I think Viera’s presence in that DM position will help France.

On the basis of skill he might not be the best choice but when it comes to leadership no one in the French camp matches him.

Henry is a good player but he is no leader.

I just hope he plays regularly for Man City and gets back to match fitness.
http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/ GFC

Vieira remains one of the greatest French midfielders, and I would say the best holding midfielder ever to play for Les Bleus – http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/01/inigma-that-is-pat-vieira.html

However I think his time for France is unfortunately done, look at what happened during the Euros. Dumbenech took an injured Vieira to Switerland and Austria and never saw his #4 on the pitch. Vieira’s ability to stay healthy has not gotten any better, so why risk him heading to South Africa?

Vieira has been a great player for France, but everyone’s time comes to an end…
Sarah

I agree with the sentiments expressed about his leadership. I didn’t think Thierry was a particularly good leader/captain for this France squad before the Ireland match– and I think it would be hard for anyone to be leader in the environment that will welcome him (jeering, no favors from refs or the crowds etc).

The best days of both players are behind them. The reason they will go to the World Cup has nothing to do with their current playing skills. The questions are:

1) Will they/can they provide the leadership, mental strength and stability the younger players need to perform?

2) Do they play well enough to not be a liability if they do come?

I actually don’t know the answer yet- because neither of them are playing a ton of minutes right now.