Patrick Vieira has dismissed suggestions that he will be found wanting on his return to the Premier League and believes that he will not only make an impact at Manchester City but will help Roberto Mancini’s team to win the title.

The club’s billionaire owners will hope that Mancini’s instincts are correct when it comes to Vieira, 33, who has signed an initial six-month contract worth an estimated £140,000 a week, making him one of the older players in the top flight and one of the highest paid as well.

There are concerns that Vieira no longer has the stamina to cope with the sustained pace of the Premier League, which has quickened since the France World Cup winner left Arsenal for Juventus in 2005.

Vieira has made only 12 appearances for Inter Milan this season after finding himself behind Esteban Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic, Thiago Motta and Sulley Muntari in the pecking order. More pertinently, he played less than half an hour of the six Champions League games in which José Mourinho’s team were involved.

Vieira no longer has the pace or drive that made him such a powerful and successful force under Arsène Wenger at Arsenal a decade ago, but Mancini has earmarked a more defensive role for him in midfield and is even considering making him the team’s new captain in place of Kolo Touré, whose form has proved erratic this season.

Mancini is placing huge significance on Vieira’s experience and the player’s desire to earn a place in France’s squad for this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

Vieira insists that he is as fit as ever and believes that he can add to his trophy cabinet by helping City to win silverware, including the Barclays Premier League title.

“I feel really good and happy to be here,” Vieira said. “The last time I played in England was a long time ago, so I’m delighted to be back here with City. I’ve never had any doubts about myself. I believe in myself. I’m not 20, but I’m not 40 or 45, either, and I still feel motivated.

“I came back because of the ambition of this club, the manager and the fact I can give something to this club and hopefully we will be successful this year.

“The club wants to be successful and I want to help them achieve this. It’s a strong team with big players and I know I will have to fight to get into the side, but I just want to play well and help the side win things.

“This club can achieve a lot. We are not out of the race for winning the title and hopefully this club can do it.”

Mancini, who signed Vieira from Juventus during his time as the Inter coach, said: “Patrick is a world-class midfielder with a winner’s mentality and will fit into this group very well. He knows me and my staff well, and importantly he also knows what the Premier League is all about. He will not need much time to settle in.