Patrick Vieira spent just one season at Manchester City but it seems like he thoroughly enjoyed his stint at the Etihad Stadium.
The Genoa boss particularly seemed to enjoy playing with some of the City players at the time, with Vieira comparing David Silva to Dennis Bergkamp and describing the Spaniard as pure “class.”
Similarly, Patrick Vieira admired Yaya Toure’s leadership and mentality after sharing a dressing room with the Ivorian.
Apart from Toure and Silva, the World Cup winner ended up playing with multiple players who were influential in Manchester City’s success.
Patrick Vieira says former Man City star Gareth Barry was ‘underrated’
One of them was Gareth Barry, who went on to win two Premier League titles at City among various other trophies.
The retired midfielder, who holds the record for making the most appearances in Premier League history (653) formed a brilliant partnership with Yaya Toure as the pair helped lead Roberto Mancini’s side to the title in 2012.
More Man City News
Speaking to Manchester City’s official magazine, Patrick Vieira lauded Gareth Barry by describing him as “underrated” while also praising the Englishman’s personality: “If I had to give you the name of a player who was underrated, I would give you Gareth Barry. No doubt.”
Gareth Barry & Manchester City Press Conference
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
“He was a player who was working really hard for the team. He was not doing anything fancy. But as a manager I think he was the first name you would put on the teamsheet because you knew he was always going to be seven or eight out of ten. He was a player that a manager would always trust. And what a lovely guy as well.”
Gareth Barry’s Man City career by numbers
Considering Gareth Barry was a defensive midfielder, a legend like Patrick Vieira’s words must mean the world to him.
Judging by the stats as well as the trophies he won, the former City midfielder, who left the Etihad Stadium to join Everton on a free transfer had a solid spell at the Etihad Stadium.
GARETH BARRY AT MANCHESTER CITY
APPEARANCES 175
GOALS 8
ASSISTS 16
TROPHIES WON 2
Barry won the title as well as the FA Cup and was a brilliant servant for Manchester City.
While the masses may no longer discuss the 44-year-old too often, his teammates like Patrick Vieira still hold the former England international in high regard.