City Should Up Their Efforts To Retain James Milner

This is a post from Tess Pugos.

There is nothing covert about transfers in modern day football. No sooner has a player answered his phone to his agent than the headlines are out in force across the sporting world – sometimes even without a conversation ever taking place. It’s very rare we’re totally surprised by a signing as they tend to be the worst kept secrets in the world.

For a good few weeks now James Milner has been linked with interest from several clubs, most prominently North West neighbours Liverpool. It seems the likelihood of him making the short move across to Merseyside is increasing by the day. In a quest for a more guaranteed slot in the starting line-up, he could head there in the summer when his contract at the City of Manchester Stadium expires.

The Leeds-born midfielder can expect a reduction in his current £120,000 a week wage packet but he will see that as worth it for the game time as he enters potentially one of the last major contracts of his career. It would be a good acquisition for Liverpool, but if City can renegotiate a good deal then the club should be working hard to try and keep him.

Manuel Pellegrini has gone on record as saying the board want him to stay, with the importance of a strong squad key in longevity during the season, especially when you’re throwing in cup success. He cannot guarantee games, though, certainly not with the level of talent around. Milner has shown that when he is given the chances he can become a frontrunner for the club, and recent form should have him down as one of the first on the team sheet.

He came off the bench against Leicester to score and seal the victory for Manchester City, and did more in his 20 or so minutes than a lot of the lacklustre team had done for the whole game. Despite the stats backing him up and the various qualities he brings to the team, he just can’t seem to get all the play he wants. When you’re pitted alongside some of the best players in the world it’s always going to be an issue. But the competition raises everyone’s game and separates those who have the will from those who don’t.

Of course every professional footballer wants to play every minute of every game where possible. That’s not always feasible. Milner can stake a claim to it being justified in 2015 but recognises that his high-level team-mates mean that is not possible, and has stated that he just wants, “a fair crack of the whip.”

He continues to play well and that is attracting even more potential suitors for the summer, including Arsenal and Roma. He has bagged five goals since the start of the year which will always influence the opinion of those interested, but his consistent work rate, assists, tackling and versatility means he really should be treated as the asset he is. That’s what he can offer all the time, even when the finishes aren’t as abundant.

This article is not the only one campaigning for an increased effort to keep him in Manchester. His value to the team is more than just a bit part. He’s a shrewd thinker and doesn’t let his ego get in the way as much as many of his peers. He can accept that at a side such as City with the level of talent in the changing room he will clock up time spent on the bench. That is more and more the modern game, especially at that level.

He admitted that he would just like to be rewarded when his displays on the pitch do justify his name being first on the team sheet, which doesn’t always happen. “You hope if you’re playing well you can force the manager to keep you in the side,” he offered, and he is always doing his best to try and uphold his end of that bargain.

Now at 29 and without too many more years in the top flight to look forward to, depending of course on many different factors, he will not want to settle for cameos. As the kind of player who thrives on being in the thick of the action, he wants the assurance that he will be on the pitch. That’s not an assurance he is getting.

If he moved in to the fold at Liverpool in the summer, he would become one of the prominent stars. Long-time Anfield legend Steven Gerrard will depart at the end of the season and that opens up a huge opportunity for a new general. Milner could be the fulcrum and the glue that binds a team together. Knowing his way of thinking, that will be a very appealing scenario.

He still believes in City and has been open about enjoying the club and his team-mates. It could simply be forced optimism but he’s even said that City can still win the Premier League. If you agree with Milner’s opinion, check out City’s odds with betfair or other bookmakers. It promises to be a tense conclusion for City if they can put together a winning run.

City certainly are not out of the running yet but if a string of victories to take us to the end of the season is ever to be realised, it’ll be utilising the traits that Milner brings to the table. He doesn’t quit, he has the legs to last and he’ll cover more ground than anyone. His claims that the team can still come good on the season reflect that the team should come good on him. It’d be a major dent if not.

He can wear many hats and provide many services but the one constant is his reliability. Sometimes the “Mr Reliable” can be overlooked for the flashy or outspoken, but let’s not fall in to that trap. City should convince him of his importance and key role moving forward. Players like Milner are hard to find.