The rumors of Patrick Vieira joining Major League Soccer have picked up steam once again, and this time the Frenchman wants to joins his compatriot Thierry Henry in New York.
Vieira, 34, told the French media outlet the Orange Sport that after his contract with Manchester City ends at the close of the season, he’s eager to join MLS.
"For me, these will be the last six months in a high-level European club, and after the experience I'd like the United States,” Vieira said. “I also spoke with my friend (Youri) Djorkaeff, he has played in MLS and he convinced me."
The former French international Djorkaeff played an instrumental part in Henry’s arrival in MLS last year. Vieira, meanwhile, has started just two games this season for Manchester City and has one goal to show for his efforts. Last month he expressed discontent about his current predicament, where he struggles for playing time against the likes of starters Yaya Touré and Carlos Tevez.
"Yes, of course, I'm frustrated, but I'm not the only one," Vieira told ESPN Soccernet last month. "When you see the squad and how big it is, of course many players will be disappointed and frustrated not to play that often."
Fellow Frenchman Nicolas Sahnoun, meanwhile is also considering a move to MLS, according to reports. Sahnoun, who has played largely in France and Spain and spent the first three years of his professional career with Fulham, expressed the interest to his agent Boris Laval, who has said a switch to MLS would be “both life experience and a challenge for him."
Former Brazilian international and Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos is also talking up a potential move stateside, but not until 2012. Carlos, 37, is currently with Brazilian side Corinthians, but said that a recent trip to the United States helped influence the potential career move.
“A week ago, I was with my family in New York and Orlando. On the street I was approached by many people who asked me to think about the possibility of playing there,” he said. “I confess that it would be a very good experience. And is not the first time I’ve thought about it, who knows if in 2012 I did not transfer to a club in MLS.”
