There was the same languid stride, opening up to cover the pitch; the same fiery will to win when he slid, sometimes rashly, into tackles and a muscular core that defied opponents to win the ball off him.
Paul Pogba, the £60million midfielder, was the man of the match as France beat Nigeria 2-0 on Monday and for Arsene Wenger, watching in the stands for French TV, and France manager Didier Deschamps there must have been some wistful memories.
For Wenger they would have been fond recollections of a towering presence in his Arsenal sides and, for Deschamps, of a formidable former midfield partner.
Yohan Cabaye, the tactical brains of this France team, sensed it too. ‘Fortunately for us he is like Patrick Vieira,’ said the former Newcastle United midfielder.
‘He is very important for the team dynamic, and we just enjoy playing together with him. That unity is the best way for us to progress as far as we can.’
And the Manchester City coach, former Arsenal captain and icon of the greatest France team, indulges the comparison.
‘People say he’s like me — I guess we have similar power in possession and he’s strong, quite tall, an elegant player,’ said Vieira.
‘But in his head he’s more attacking than I ever was. I would win more balls but he’s more technical. He’ll become one of the best in the world.’
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