Patrick Vieira has backed Michael Johnson to bounce back from his two-year injury nightmare at Manchester City.
But the veteran Blues midfielder has also warned the youngster that he doesn’t intend stepping aside in the battle for midfield places.
Johnson is expected to return to full training this week – after a toe injury extended a long, hard rehabilitation from the cruciate ligament damage he suffered last season.
Vieira says that Johnson, who alarmed City fans by looking overweight in the summer of 2009, is now the hardest-working player at the club.
And he feels that dedication will pay off – and Johnson will soon be challenging for a place in the City team, and even re-kindling thoughts of an England future.
“I have been at the club and seen him working every day, and when someone works that hard, I am sure he will be successful,” said Vieira.
“I hope for him, for City and English football that he does get back to his best.
“He is a really good player – a talented English player – and it’s good for English football. The future looks bright for him. His determination will bring him back to his best. He is working harder than anyone else, and he is still young so he has time to come back.”
Johnson’s recent history has been an interminable round of injury, setback and further injury. More heads were being shaken last week when an expected return to contact training was delayed as a precaution.
It is hoped he will make his comeback for the elite development squad later this month.
Addition
There now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, and Johnson would be a welcome addition to a central midfield are which has lacked dynamism at times this season.
Not that Vieira intends to be shunted aside in the fight for a place. The 34-year-old has mainly featured in Europa League and Carling Cup games this season, and last month hinted that he may hang up his boots at the end of the season.
That had Arsenal on alert, as Arsene Wenger fancies taking the Gunners great on to his coaching staff – while Roberto Mancini would also like to retain Vieira’s experience and expertise.
But Vieira now says he is keeping his options open, and after suffering a few injury problems towards the end of his Inter Milan career, and at the beginning of his move to Eastlands, adds he is now feeling in great condition.
Vieira is expected to start in Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Lech Poznan in Poland, with Nigel de Jong still missing with a hamstring injury.
But Vieira remains positive about the future and is hell-bent on reclaiming his place, despite intense competition from de Jong and Yaya Toure.
The World Cup winner was brought in during the January transfer window as much for the authority and know-how he would bring to the club as the playing qualities he would bring to the squad.
And he is one of the anchors City will look to as a whirlwind of criticism blows through the club, with the Frenchman a constant supporter of Mancini’s rotation policy, even though he has been a victim of it more than most.
“My only focus at the moment is to help City to win silverware, to bring my experience and do what I can do on the pitch,” said Vieira.
“I would like to play more because I feel really good, but I know selection is really difficult and after that we will see what can happen. But the door is open for everything.
“As a player it is important to fix yourself a target and my personal target is to play in as many games as I can.
“I am determined and I’m working hard every day to show the manager that he can come to me whenever he needs me.”
What do you think? Have your say.
Vieira: Johnson dedication deserves success
November 02, 2010
Comments
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great news for mj and Manchester city come back soon
Off topic but I've just read Benitez latest analogy, no wonder he got the sack, his analogies are as pathetic as his managerial style, I'm not surprised the scousers got rid of him!
M Johnson, he could be our missing link, two years is an awful long time.
It would be great for him and even better for us.
Colin Bell hobbled back on the pitch ( I can see it now, it was so so sad) and yet although he could not even run, his passing was still superb, Johnson had a less serious injury and youth on his side, it would not take much to match the pace of Barry or Milner!!
DONT WORRY PATRICK...
THE GUY AINT GOOD ENOUGH TO LICK YOUR BOOTS.
EVEN AT YOUR AGE.
simples
It's encouraging to read this if some of the rumours about MJ's private life a couple of years or so back are to be believed. I think Viera is a bit of a stickler for players putting some extra into training so I don't think his verdict should be taken lightly. If the lad can get himself back to the level he was playing at three years ago it will be a huge boost for City. He's a local lad and a homegrown talent who hasn't cost us a penny in transfer money and we know that he's got the potential to be a top drawer central midfielder. Hopefully we'll see him make a first team bow before the end of the season. Just hope his problems are well behind him now.
Viera goes public at least once a week with something positive about our beloved Club and ,more importantly, his positive interaction with the youngsters-he already seems to be helping Micah,Ibrahim and Boyata...this is all good news especially since Michael Johnson plays a similar role to that which Viera played...Bravo Patrick,Forza Roberto......
I personally can't wait to see Michael "Magic" Johnson back. Even though he's a fat lad he is still better than the majority of the no hopers we have playing now.
According to Sky's website Ya Ya Toure has been questioning the mentality of some of City's players saying they haven't got the winning mentality. Quite funny coming from a guy who looks like he regularly visits Gregg's for lunch and can't run the length of the pitch!
Good news for Johnson, and it is nice that Big Pat has given him a confidence boost.
On another note, at the moment i think Viera should get the nod ahead for Yaya! Viera passing ability and vision around the opposition area is the best we have out of our midfield options at the moment and with 2 other holding midfielders in the team we should have enough to accomodate him.
Perhaps Viera could still be a box to box player again, if Johnson carried him on his back, other than that he's finished as a player.
Michael. Best of luck for the future !!!
If fit and back to the same level. Johnson 1st choice, Vieira 2nd choice, Barry 3rd choice.........
Is Patrick Vieira our next manager?
It's a very very big if, but if we can get this lad back to what he was, he will make a fundemental difference to that team, no question. There must be true belief in his ability to regain his usefullness or he woud have been gone by now, surely.
City are without doubt still short in certain areas, up front is one, no acceptable cover for Tevez, nor the ready talent to play with him for the time being, dreadfully lacking real craft in the middle of the park, little vision and one-paced, and I believe still a top quality experienced centre back is required to play with, and off, Kompany
Great news,just what were missing right now,a true box to box
midfielder who's got the lot.will chip in with a few goals aswell.
Welcome back Jonno.
IM PUZZELED TO THE REACTION OF MY LAST COMMENT!!!!!!
M.J I BELIEVE IS FINISHED AT THIS LEVEL FOR SURE, HE WASNT WORLD CLASS WHEN HE GOT INJURED, SO WHAT MAKES YOU LOT THINK ANY DIFFERENTLY NOW?
UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM TIME ON THE SIDE LINES AS MADE HIM MISS THE BOAT, CITY NOW IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANIMAL TO THE CLUB HE PLAYED FOR AT THE TIME.
simples.
This is all positive stuff but MJ is starting from scratch here and he is a long long way from achieving his goal. I hope he gets there because he is a very very good player but it is a really difficult journey back to the level required.
Can the blues players stop expressing to the media that it isimportant to win a trophy this year and concentrate week by week on getting 3 points, take each week and treat it as a cup final.
I think Johnson will walk into the midfield in place of either barry or Yaya and could even play behind the attack ala Silva role.
Again lets give him time and he needs minimum 6 reserve games and possible subs appearances and will hopefully be ready for the New Year push for top 4.
I also notice Barry is good with ords but again lets see you talking more on the pitch as an ex club captain you need to show us more.
You look like you had a fine voice in St Andrews.
Trust in Mancini.
What a pleasure to hear a current City player (Vieira) talking up M Johnson after all the negative stuff that's been flying around lately. I wish him the very best in his attempt to get back to full fitness, because if he regains the form he showed in glimpses before his injury I reckon we'll have a great addition to our midfield group.
It was great to hear Robbie Savage giving his backing to Roberto on R5L last night and sticking it to Motson, McGarry, Chapman, et al. Thanks for providing a bit of balance Robbie.
Wherever this kid ends up I wish him every success. Having already endured more than many do in a lifetime I hope his dedication is rewarded with many years free of anything serious. Fantastic potential.
City must now get michael another dietician the Platt diet has not worked !!!!
nice to hear michael johnstone coming back to full fitness good luck
Bet Vieira plays more football than this joker even if he does retire next season than Mr Sick Michael Johnson, can't believe we couldn't fit Bellemy into the squad when this sick chit stayed!!!
And he's more Messy than Messi before you all start slavering!
like johnson, we are getting stronger and stronger everyday,be patient.