Soccer:Patrick Vieira has shrugged off criticism that Manchester City's squad is overloaded with surplus star players. After adding more high-profile names to their line-up this summer, City have come under fire from some areas of the media, and former player Stephen Ireland, for having a bloated squad.
Midfielder Vieira, who won three league titles with Arsenal and four with Inter Milan, insists current Premier League champions Chelsea are proof that an extensive team is needed to secure silverware.
"When you look at the Chelsea bench they also have a good team on the sidelines," Vieira told the Manchester Evening News. "But if you want to go from the start to the end you need everyone, and for everyone to be fully committed.
"Anything can happen in the first few months. Eleven players will start the first few games, but there are so many games to play, in so many competitions."
Midfielder Ireland, who departed City for Aston Villa in the summer, has suggested that manager Roberto Mancini will find it difficult keeping so many star players happy.
Mancini's recent capture of six international stars has made competition even fiercer at Eastlands, with Vieira's only action so far this season coming in the second leg of the Europa League tie against Timisoara.
However, the 34-year-old has called for patience from the players who are not currently first-team regulars.
"The team which starts will not be the team that finishes the season, so everyone has to get focused," he added. "It will bring some frustration, because quality players do not like to be on the bench.
"But at a club like City which is ambitious, you have to accept it, and what we can do is put the manager in a difficult position when he picks the 11 who will start."
Vieira believes City are the most powerful they have been in a long time, and hails the wealth of experience in their ranks.
"We have the experience," he said. "When you look at myself, Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong, David Silva, and Yaya Toure, there are so many quality players in midfield.
"The new signings are internationals and we have quality in every single part of the team. If we keep our feet on the ground and everyone gives 100 per cent commitment to the club, it will be a really good season.
"It could be an exciting season. This is the strongest side City have had in the last few years and if we all play at the right level it will be a good season for us."