James Milner

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

On one hand part of me says we shouldn't be held to ransom by any player on playing time. What if he has a couple of shit games? Does he have to keep playing him just so he signs again?

On the other I think it would be a mistake to let him go.

The other question is, which of the other big sides would guarantee him the playing time he wants and the chance of silverware? Liverpool maybe? Spurs? Cant see any of the others.

So that leaves him with the choice of staying with us, getting 25-30 games a season in all comps and winning things, signing for Liverpool/Spurs, playing maybe 30-35 games a season in all comps and maybe winning a cup or signing for the likes of Southampton, playing 40 games a season in all comps and winning nothing.

Is it really just about playing time or is it down to money? Other than the other top sides though, who is going to pay him more than we do?

Might be worth offering him a short term solution if he is still not convinced. A One year contract extension on more money with the option to convert to three at the end of the season while he makes his mind up.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Give Jimmy and Joe new contracts. No contest IMHO.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

On one hand part of me says we shouldn't be held to ransom by any player on playing time. What if he has a couple of shit games? Does he have to keep playing him just so he signs again?

On the other I think it would be a mistake to let him go.

The other question is, which of the other big sides would guarantee him the playing time he wants and the chance of silverware? Liverpool maybe? Spurs? Cant see any of the others.

So that leaves him with the choice of staying with us, getting 25-30 games a season in all comps and winning things, signing for Liverpool/Spurs, playing maybe 30-35 games a season in all comps and maybe winning a cup or signing for the likes of Southampton, playing 40 games a season in all comps and winning nothing.

Is it really just about playing time or is it down to money? Other than the other top sides though, who is going to pay him more than we do?

Might be worth offering him a short term solution if he is still not convinced. A One year contract extension on more money with the option to convert to three at the end of the season while he makes his mind up.

He's got to remember that nobody is guaranteed to start every game for us when on form and fit these players are certs for the big games zaba vinny yaya silva aguero! The other 6 places are up for grabs and its up to jimmy to make 1 of them spots his own! Going off his last 2 starts he's on his way to dislodging nasri but it won't guarantee him 50/60 games a season!

 

[schfc6]

What I've never understood with Milner and the media fascination with the amount of games he plays is, why don't they, why doesn't he concentrate on the quality of game he plays in. Most big games we've had since he joined he started or taken an important part in.

Milner is a fantastic player to have in the squad, even his biggest detractors are generally happy go see him in our most difficult of games. He is very good at closing out games, he provides cover in several positions.

As one poster has said, we should ask Jimmy, he should ask himself, does he want 38 games at Everton, Southampton, Newcastle or Villa winning nothing. Or 25-30 games at City winning trophies and playing in the biggest games.

Is game time that important? Granted he doesn't play unless there's injuries against the weaker teams, but the quality of games he does play must be worth him signing a new contract.

He would all be certainly start in all our CL away games and would start against any of the contenders for the trophy.

I like him, I think he a valuable member of the squad, but I don't want to see him on the team sheet against Burnley and the likes. I do however expect him to start our toughest of games.

Jimmy needs to ask himself, is it quantatee or quality he's looking for.

 

[RandomJ]

On one hand part of me says we shouldn't be held to ransom by any player on playing time. What if he has a couple of shit games? Does he have to keep playing him just so he signs again?

On the other I think it would be a mistake to let him go.

The other question is, which of the other big sides would guarantee him the playing time he wants and the chance of silverware? Liverpool maybe? Spurs? Cant see any of the others.

So that leaves him with the choice of staying with us, getting 25-30 games a season in all comps and winning things, signing for Liverpool/Spurs, playing maybe 30-35 games a season in all comps and maybe winning a cup or signing for the likes of Southampton, playing 40 games a season in all comps and winning nothing.

Is it really just about playing time or is it down to money? Other than the other top sides though, who is going to pay him more than we do?

Might be worth offering him a short term solution if he is still not convinced. A One year contract extension on more money with the option to convert to three at the end of the season while he makes his mind up.

I don't think it's about money at all. I think he is just sick of this reputation he has got as being a player who is only sent on in the dying minutes to "do a job" and defend a lead. He was the star man at Villa and then came to us and whilst he has won a lot here he has always been second fiddle to Nasri. He has shown not just in the Chelsea game but in other games that he has a lot more to offer than just being used as a late sub. He probably wouldn't win as much if he moved but I don't think he cares about that I think he just wants to start games each week and show what he can really do as he is 28 and in the prime of his footballing career. I just hope Pellegrini gives him more chances to show what he can offer to the team over Nasri.

 

[colbee59]

I think he's 28 and wants to play football, your a long time retired

 

[BillyShears]

Wow. There's some proper ridiculous assertions going around in this thread. Lets be clear, James Milner is not and never will be world class. Nor is he someone who City should "pay whatever" to keep. Nor in my mind should we be overly fussed about ANY player who doesn't want to commit to us.

Having said all that, I'd love him to stay, he's a model pro, and yes he can occasionally put in 9/10 performances.

He's had a contract on the table for ages. Yet he's prepared to walk away on a free having cost the club tens of millions and having picked up similar amounts in wages and won more medals than he ever previously had.

That doesn't make me scream "sign him up at all costs". Even if he wanted to see how things go this season he should've signed the deal on offer and had a set fee put into the contract if he didn't get enough game time.

Then again this happens about twice a season. Jimmy puts in a worldy performance and everyone forgets the Sunderland's away when his passing and crossing would've made Ray Charles proud.

 

[OB1]

Wow. There's some proper ridiculous assertions going around in this thread. Lets be clear, James Milner is not and never will be world class. Nor is he someone who City should "pay whatever" to keep. Nor in my mind should we be overly fussed about ANY player who doesn't want to commit to us.

Having said all that, I'd love him to stay, he's a model pro, and yes he can occasionally put in 9/10 performances.

He's had a contract on the table for ages. Yet he's prepared to walk away on a free having cost the club tens of millions and having picked up similar amounts in wages and won more medals than he ever previously had.

That doesn't make me scream "sign him up at all costs". Even if he wanted to see how things go this season he should've signed the deal on offer and had a set fee put into the contract if he didn't get enough game time.

Then again this happens about twice a season. Jimmy puts in a worldy performance and everyone forgets the Sunderland's away when his passing and crossing would've made Ray Charles proud.

Same page.

I really like Jimmy but a whole bunch of supporters overrate him as much as they underrate Nasri. Both players are useful members of our squad.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Wow. There's some proper ridiculous assertions going around in this thread. Lets be clear, James Milner is not and never will be world class. Nor is he someone who City should "pay whatever" to keep. Nor in my mind should we be overly fussed about ANY player who doesn't want to commit to us.

I'm not sure anyone is calling him world class or a "pay anything" player. However, in this league, and at a time when a squad is as important as your handful of world class players (see United 2014), Milner is a proven PL and international player who has more utility than a Swiss Army Knife.

Having said all that, I'd love him to stay, he's a model pro, and yes he can occasionally put in 9/10 performances.

Exactly! I think that is the overwhelming sentiment.

He's had a contract on the table for ages. Yet he's prepared to walk away on a free having cost the club tens of millions and having picked up similar amounts in wages and won more medals than he ever previously had. That doesn't make me scream "sign him up at all costs".

Three things: (1) this is probably his last big contract, so he wants to make sure he signs it IF he gets to play, as he also wants to continue to play for England and end his career playing rather than being a "homegrown" captive. (2) as lay people, we need to simply ignore the money aspects of it. No-one is going to pay silly money for a utility player, but it is his job to get the absolute best value for his services ON HIS TERMS. (3) see the response to the first quote above.

Even if he wanted to see how things go this season he should've signed the deal on offer and had a set fee put into the contract if he didn't get enough game time.

Silly comment. Think about it.

Then again this happens about twice a season. Jimmy puts in a worldy performance and everyone forgets the Sunderland's away when his passing and crossing would've made Ray Charles proud.

Yes, he doesn't get a free pass when he has a bad game because he is not the guy who can be considered world class every now and then, so he has to work hard to make up for his shortfalls in this games.....and he does. And, let's not forget, he is a bit part player who rarely gets that run of games to develop partnerships with players, the way Silva, Nasri and Yaya have done.

I don't mistake work ethic for talent, but he has both in abundance and is possibly the best "squad player" in British football.....and certainly the best English utility player.

 

[FantasyIreland]

James Milner has reiterated he will only commit his future to Manchester City if he is getting enough game time.

Champions City are keen to agree a new contract with Milner after tying down most of their big names over the summer and have begun talks with the England midfielder.

Milner is in no rush to sign, as we reported back in pre-season, even though he has entered the final 12 months of the five-year deal he agreed when he joined from Aston Villa in 2010.

He wants to retain the option of leaving on a Bosman next summer if he is not starting more big games for the champions.

“I have a year left and have spoken to the club,” he said. “I love it here and would love to stay at Manchester City, but first and foremost I am a footballer and want to play football. Hopefully I can play enough games and will be here for the long term.

“You want to win trophies and I’ve been fortunate enough to do that. I want to do that and ideally play in enough games


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