James Milner

[oakiecokie]

James Milner closing in on new City deal
Oct 07, 2014 22:30 By James Robson
The England midfielder, whose current deal at Manchester City expires at the end of the season, has revealed negotiations are underway with the club over a new contract

James Milner is ready to commit his future to City after revealing negotiations over a new contract are underway.

The England midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of the season and City are keen to resolve his future before he becomes a free agent.

The 28-year-old has been frustrated by his lack of opportunities during his four years at the Etihad Stadium - but indicated that he is close to reaching an agreement.

Milner said: “We've been in talks with the club, we've talked about it and hopefully it can get sorted some time soon.”

It was understood that Milner was assessing his options before committing himself to another long-term deal.

He has too often found himself a fringe player behind the other superstar names in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad like Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri and Fernandinho.

Last season he made only 12 starts in all competitions.

But he has enjoyed a better run so far this campaign, starting five of City’s last seven games - including the key matches with Arsenal and Chelsea.

He said: “I seem to go through phases in my City career where at times I've played a lot more and you enjoy it massively and there’s obviously no place you’d rather be. It’s an amazing club.

“Why would you want to leave?

“Then at other times it’s a bit more frustrating when you’re not playing as much it’s a bit more difficult.

“It’s a great club to be at. I've enjoyed every minute and still loving it now.

“I’m managing to play a lot of games right now and I’m loving it and hopefully that can continue.”

Milner has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup since his £26m move from Aston Villa in 2010.

And he is targeting more silverware under Pellegrini.

“I want to look back at the end of my career and say: ‘I've won this, achieved this,’” he said. “Hopefully I've got everything out of my career.”

Despite winning 50 England caps and being a key part in City’s success in recent years, Milner still doesn't get the wider recognition he deserves. But he insists his record at the Etihad is enough to answer his critics.

“People can write and say what they want,” he said.

“People will always have their opinion of you, but if it’s there in black and white, how many trophies you've won, then that’s all I can control.

“I've been at City - this is my fifth season - look at the trophies I've won.

“There’s not too many English players at City at this moment in time and to be there, to hold my own, I can’t be doing too badly.”

 

[Bob Hope]

Good news if he now sign's a new contract it would of cost the club a lot of money to replace him.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Great news. He's on fire at the moment!

 

[BringBackSwales]

Great news. He's on fire at the moment!

he always has been; great player, great pro, great bloke, the sort of man that every club wants and needs. Absolutely brilliant if he signs up

 

[blueplan]

Milner has yet to reach his Peak.
Stay at City and he will become a Legend.
If not see what happened to others like Adam Johnson et al.

 

[oakiecokie]

Milner has yet to reach his Peak.
Stay at City and he will become a Legend.
If not see what happened to others like Adam Johnson et al.

Unlike Johnson, Jimmy is tea-total and not a piss head.

 

[jared]

Good news. I like his versatility, which ironically may have hurt his chances before as he wasn't brilliant at a specific position. But every club needs a player like him, not to mention he puts in the effort and a true professional.

 

[BongoBlue]

Great news if true. Big fan of Jimmy's.

 

[City Glory While Others Fade]

James is a stand-up guy, him signing a new contract was never really in doubt. I can think of some players in recent years that would have tried to milk this position and looked to leave on a free transfer. Fair play to the club too as I'm sure they were a bit nervous about thus situation dragging into the final year, I'm sure they trusted that James was a man of his word and genuinely wanted to see how much playing time he was likely to get in the future, all turned out grand in the end. This signing will piss the press off....can't peddle their lies about team being full of mercenaries any more. Well done to James and the club!!!

 

[Puppet Master Silva]

Actually I have to apologise my stats are off. He started 22 games in total (league and cup). He started 12 PL games, and the rest of his appearances were divided between Europe and the two cup competitions.

That's less than I thought, but it still isn't more than he'd get anywhere else in the top 6 MAYBE with the exception of Everton.

Starting 1/4 of our league games is appalling, it really is. He could get more game time than that anywhere else. However as he's played a lot more this season I think we'll see him signing a contract before the end of November.

 

[Bokonon]

Actually I have to apologise my stats are off. He started 22 games in total (league and cup). He started 12 PL games, and the rest of his appearances were divided between Europe and the two cup competitions.

That's less than I thought, but it still isn't more than he'd get anywhere else in the top 6 MAYBE with the exception of Everton.

Uhm. Bulls***. He'd walk into every team's starting 11 besides Chelsea's and Arsenal's.

 

[oldius]

Saying he's a perfect squad man undermines the quality he brings to the first eleven. There's a reason why he is an excellent partner to both silva and zaba; he's a top player, recognised by Capello as the future of English football.

The fact that he's English and not playing every week makes him a very easy press target. He's not a match of the day player like Adam Johnson either so the general public don't appreciate what he contributes to the team.

I would love it if he committed to us for the rest of his career.

 

[sir baconface]

It must still be nagging him that he's only getting more game time because Nasri is out.

When he talks about big names who are hard to drop, I wonder if he has the likes of Nasri and Yaya in mind.

 

[BillyShears]

Actually I have to apologise my stats are off. He started 22 games in total (league and cup). He started 12 PL games, and the rest of his appearances were divided between Europe and the two cup competitions.

That's less than I thought, but it still isn't more than he'd get anywhere else in the top 6 MAYBE with the exception of Everton.

Uhm. Bulls***. He'd walk into every team's starting 11 besides Chelsea's and Arsenal's.

So that's 3 out of the top 4 from last season who's teams he doesn't "walk" into.

Look I rate Milner and think he's an important member of our squad. But I can't help but feel he's massively overrated in this thread, and it really confuses me greatly to hear people grumbling "he should've played more last season". We won the title last season. To me that's the heigh of ungratefulness and disrespect for all those players who did play regularly and contributed greatly to the title.

Now he's playing regularly due to Nasri's misfortune and he's cementing his place in the side which is excellent. The contract though remained unsigned. It's down to him, not the club, to do the right thing and show his loyalty to us after everything he's won here. Paying lip service in the press about how amazing City is isn't really the same as committing your future to it.

 

[oakiecokie]

It must still be nagging him that he's only getting more game time because Nasri is out.

When he talks about big names who are hard to drop, I wonder if he has the likes of Nasri and Yaya in mind.

Thats a good point ref Nasri,but based on his opening games for us Samir needs to pull his finger out quickly if he wants that place back. Jimmy so far as earned the right for a starting place.

 

[pikku]

It must still be nagging him that he's only getting more game time because Nasri is out.

When he talks about big names who are hard to drop, I wonder if he has the likes of Nasri and Yaya in mind.

Ya must be them he was talking about,as of now he has earned his place in the squad,also it is necessary to have Milner type players who are willing to give their 100 percent every game and add to the fact that he combines very well with David Silva,they seem to have an excellent understanding with each other.

 

[OB1]

Actually I have to apologise my stats are off. He started 22 games in total (league and cup). He started 12 PL games, and the rest of his appearances were divided between Europe and the two cup competitions.

That's less than I thought, but it still isn't more than he'd get anywhere else in the top 6 MAYBE with the exception of Everton.

Uhm. Bulls***. He'd walk into every team's starting 11 besides Chelsea's and Arsenal's.

So that's 3 out of the top 4 from last season who's teams he doesn't "walk" into.

Look I rate Milner and think he's an important member of our squad. But I can't help but feel he's massively overrated in this thread, and it really confuses me greatly to hear people grumbling "he should've played more last season". We won the title last season. To me that's the heigh of ungratefulness and disrespect for all those players who did play regularly and contributed greatly to the title.

Now he's playing regularly due to Nasri's misfortune and he's cementing his place in the side which is excellent. The contract though remained unsigned. It's down to him, not the club, to do the right thing and show his loyalty to us after everything he's won here. Paying lip service in the press about how amazing City is isn't really the same as committing your future to it.

Might as well throw your switch away: the equine beast prone before you is not going to move. Although, I do agree that Jimmy is the most overrated player on Bluemoon, which is not to say that I do not rate him or am unhappy to see him having a run of form and games. I will be quite delighted if he can prove that he is better than I think he is. Either way, he is a good guy to have in the squad and I would prefer to see him sign a new contract in the next few weeks.

 

[hgblue]

Uhm. Bulls***. He'd walk into every team's starting 11 besides Chelsea's and Arsenal's.

So that's 3 out of the top 4 from last season who's teams he doesn't "walk" into.

Look I rate Milner and think he's an important member of our squad. But I can't help but feel he's massively overrated in this thread, and it really confuses me greatly to hear people grumbling "he should've played more last season". We won the title last season. To me that's the heigh of ungratefulness and disrespect for all those players who did play regularly and contributed greatly to the title.

Now he's playing regularly due to Nasri's misfortune and he's cementing his place in the side which is excellent. The contract though remained unsigned. It's down to him, not the club, to do the right thing and show his loyalty to us after everything he's won here. Paying lip service in the press about how amazing City is isn't really the same as committing your future to it.

Might as well throw your switch away: the equine beast prone before you is not going to move. Although, I do agree that Jimmy is the most overrated player on Bluemoon, which is not to say that I do not rate him or am unhappy to see him having a run of form and games. I will be quite delighted if he can prove that he is better than I think he is. Either way, he is a good guy to have in the squad and I would prefer to see him sign a new contract in the next few weeks.

Overrated? Nah, I'd say those who think they know football but don't, seriously underrate him, because they can't see passed the cliche.

 

[BillyShears]

Overrated? Nah, I'd say those who think they know football but don't, seriously underrate him, because they can't see passed the cliche.

As has been said countless times. He's not as bad as some would have you believe, and he's not as good as others would have you believe. He's a very good player but neither world class nor rubbish.

I'm guessing that Mancini and Pellegrini are two people included in the "think they know football but don't" cliche ;)

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Overrated? Nah, I'd say those who think they know football but don't, seriously underrate him, because they can't see passed the cliche.

As has been said countless times. He's not as bad as some would have you believe, and he's not as good as others would have you believe. He's a very good player but neither world class nor rubbish.

I'm guessing that Mancini and Pellegrini are two people included in the "think they know football but don't" cliche ;)

Horses for courses.

He's good enough for our squad and he should feel privileged by that.

Real Madrid, Barca, Paris, Bayern, Chelsea, all have squads who possess different shades of quality.

Milner is a very good player and deserves to stake his claim, but it's all downhill after City.

He's a very lucky lad in that he has won all these medals, because he certainly wouldn't have got them anywhere else.

I take him over Nasri maybe six times out of ten, but I also recognise that when Nasri is performing in those other four games, the technical quality is there for all to see.