So today, yet again, Sky Sports News has been dominated by repeat updates on James Milner's future. As I am sure you are aware, the Aston Villa midfielder has been subject to two bids from Manchester City, both rejected by Villa, of £20million and £25million, taking into account add ons. It would appear that Milner wants to leave Villa in what I personally see as a downwards move for the World Cup star, and here is why.
Manchester City has, for the past three summers now, been a regular in the BBC gossip column, and has been linked with more or less every player who is worth more than £10million. In their first season as "the richest club in the world", they signed Brazilian forward Robinho from Real Madrid for around £32.5million on transfer deadline day, and this was just the start for them. Last sseason they signed Joleon Lescott for £23million, Emmanuel Adebayor for £25million, and Gareth Barry for £12million to name but a few. This summer they have continued spending, with new £20million signing Yaya Toure on £220,000 per week.
It appears Milner has his heart set on a move to Eastlands, but I cannot see how this move would help him develop as a player. Yes his bank balance will shoot up, but his game time and player progression will come to a halt. Roberto Mancini has a wealth of midfielders at his disposal, but has to pick 25 players over the age of 21 for the coming season to represent City in the Premier League. He already has Patrick Viera, Stephen Ireland, Vincent Kompany, Gareth Barry, Nigel De Jong, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Adam Johnson, Michael Johnson, David Silva, and Yaya Toure. He may well make it into the 25, but breaking into a probable midfield 4 containing these players will be a tall order.
And that shouldn't be his only worry. He may play a bit, but playing with wingers such as Adam Johnson, David Silva, Shaun Wright-Phillips and the returning Robinho will be tough, and it isn't like at Villa where he is a top player and can move about, because in the centre of the field are De Jong, Viera, Barry, Kompany and Ireland, so it will be tough breaking into the team their. In fact, I would go as far as saying that the only place I can ever see him playing is as an attacking midfielder, either at the top of a diamond, or in the middle of a 4-4-2, attacking while Barry, De Jong or Viera hold the fort.
But on top of that, will he fit in. Yes they are all professional footballers, but they clearly aren't gelling as Roberto Mancini and Mark Hughes had wished when they signed these players, as again they failed to finish in the top four and thus seal Champions League qualification, so there is room for improvement in that position.
So what could Villa offer him? In terms of money and a new contract, they have no hope of matching City, but what they do offer is good football, a good manager, and he is surrounded by players of equal ability who know how to play well together and a manager who knows how to get the best out of them. They are slowly building, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they made it into the top 4 this season, but they need to keep their best players.
It will be interesting to see which option Milner chooses. He comes across as a football loving player, but he may have had head turned already. If he does go to City, I would hope he does well, but I just have a feeling he may come to regret the move in a similar way Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips have begun too.
Gibbo
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