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If I had a nickel for every time I read a rumor about an aging soccer star linked with a move to MLS, well, I might be able to buy something tasty off the McDonalds Dollar Menu. Saturday the latest of these rumors shifted toward Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira who revealed to Orange Sport that this would be his final season playing in Europe. On top of that, the 34-year-old said he'd consider a move to the United States citing the influence of former France teammates Youri Djorkaeff.
Hopefully Djorkaeff, who played 45 games for the New York Red Bulls from 2005-06, didn't tell Vieira that MLS rules allow you make up a phony excuse about a family emergency while you leave the team to attend the World Cup as a spectator which the Frenchman did in 2006.
Vieira making the open statement that he'd like to play in MLS, however, probably won't have clubs from the league lining up to capture his signature. It's not like clubs exactly want to chew up a good chunk of their salary cap or a designated-player spot on a 34-year-old defensive midfielders closing in on 600 games played.
Vieira's not exactly a Pavel Nedved or Luis Figo (both extensively linked to MLS in recent years before retiring), who could have still been a dynamic offensive players in the league while serving as box office draws. Viera, meanwhile, plays an unglamorous position on the field and would only really resonate with hardcore soccer aficionados.
At his peak Vieira was a key cog when Arsenal became the "Invincibles" earlier this decade. And yes, Vieira's former Arsenal teammate Freddie Ljungberg has acclimated himself quite well with the Seattle Sounders this season, but they're different type of players at different stages of their respective careers.
On the plus side, if Vieira is actually serious about moving to MLS to wind down his illustrious career, he'd bring a wealth of experience and professionalism to any locker room.
There's also another reason a club might be wise to take a flier on Vieira, as it could possibly help grease the wheels of another ex-Arsenal Frenchman who's also hinted at finishing his career in the States -- Thierry Henry.
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