PARIS: Former France captain Patrick Vieira insisted on Tuesday that if he were in the place of France coach Raymond Domenech he would be picked for the World Cup squad.“Yes of course I would pick Patrick Vieira without any problem. Given his experience, his determination and what he can bring to the France team I would pick him,” the 33-year-old – a World Cup winner in 1998 – told French television channel Canal Plus.
Vieira, capped 107 times, moved to Manchester City from Inter Milan in a bid to regain his place in Domenech’s side in time for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.
“The coach knows me very well, he knows what I’m capable of, he knows there will be enormous preparation before the World Cup and that if I work, why not?” said the midfielder. “In 2006, I wasn’t better than I am now, but the preparation allowed me to have a good World Cup,” said Vieira.
“There are still several months to go and during this time anything can happen. I’m going to believe right up to the end, until the 11th (May, date when Domenech names the France squad).
“There’s no reason why he (Domenech) shouldn’t change his way of thinking.
“What’s sure is that I’m going to do everything I can to go. If I don’t go it will be a huge disappointment.”
The former Arsenal man, who scored his first goal for City at Burnley on Saturday, denied that he was interested in a move to the United States, adding there was a “big chance” he would stay with the English side another year. — AFP