Not an actual rumour as such, more just a question to my fellow Shed Enders.

 

James Milner is out of contract at the end of the season and it appears he is unlikely to stay at Manchester City. 

 

English lad on a free transfer who can play pretty much anywhere... Would he be a good signing? 

 

He's 29, turning 30 in January. 

 

 

 

Me personally, I think he would be worth giving a 3 year contract to. He's a very good, hard working player with experience of wining titles.

 

We've lacked decent cover in the midfield and I think he'd be a better option than Ramires in particular and obviously helps with our homegrown contingent. 

Nah.

He will be a Liverpool player I reckon plus we don't tend to give long term contracts to players approaching 30 so it won't happen IMO.

I'd take him, he's shown time and time again for City he is capable of making an impact off the bench (unlike..anyone in our team), i'd also prefer him to Mikel or Ramires in the midfield unless we're playing a top team, he strikes a better balance of industry, composure and attacking capability.

 

Pretty much everyones main gripe recently has been a lack of rotation or lack of quality in our squad depth, this is a guy made to solve that problem as he can play a range of positions, is effective even coming on for the last few minutes of a game, has a lot of PL experience and seems reasonably content at playing a squad role.

 

edit: Not on a 3 year deal though.

Edited March 20, 201511 yr by Jonty

The fact that he's leaving City would suggest that he's looking for regular first team football and at the same time probably for that one last big contract. I don't think we would be in a position to offer either. Reminds me of the Joe Cole situation in a way.

 

Like the player though and wouldn't be against having him here.

Edited March 20, 201511 yr by footballoholic

That nutmeg though..

 

Nah.

He will be a Liverpool player I reckon plus we don't tend to give long term contracts to players approaching 30 so it won't happen IMO.

 

We gave a 3 year to Luis turned 29 at the beginning of the season. 

 

I don't think a 3 year contract is out of the question for Milner, he's a decent player who would add something different to the squad. 

We gave a 3 year to Luis turned 29 at the beginning of the season.

I don't think a 3 year contract is out of the question for Milner, he's a decent player who would add something different to the squad.

Why would a player move to another team where he'd be suffering the same issue that he currently has at City?

He's not going to be a first team pick here just like at City.

Everything adds up to this coming to nothing, using the head it won't happen IMO. Money isn't his motivation obviously or he'd stay on with City in a bit part role.

He will obviously move to a club where where he will be starting games as a first pick, othertwise he'd be daft to leave City and move to a club where his appearances would be even rarer.

Edited March 20, 201511 yr by Chelsbear

Yes, I would be very happy to see him sign, and it isn't out of the realms of possibility that it might happen either.

 

He is a decent all-round player, and in terms of his role in the squad would essentially be a better version of Ramires - less pacey but a far better passer. He is good at basically everything, he can pass, doesn't give the ball away especially often for a wide man and he's decent in the air. He also has experience of winning titles. He would be able to add a thrust in the centre of midfield which we are currently lacking with Matic and Fabregas, and without the general untidiness and frustration in terms of keeping possession which has always come with Ramires.

 

You can imagine Milner getting on well with Mourinho - he is defensively disciplined, versatile, works extremely hard and performs well on the big occasion (I might be basing that entirely on his performance against Bayern). His turning 30 might not be a negative considering we have quite a youthful front four (and he seems to have, if anything, improved with age), plus he is English, an increasingly important factor considering the departures of Lampard and Cole.

 

The main downside is that he doesn't really give us anything we don't already have in one form or another; he's not really a more effective attacking player than Willian (although Willian can't play at centre mid), and probably won't make our attacking play any more imaginative. There have been complaints that José's transfer policy tends to favour athletes over footballers, and it would be hard to argue that Milner would be a departure from that. His crossing isn't particularly good and he isn't much of a goalscorer; other than a couple of seasons at Villa (where he was clearly considered a more focal attacking point than he is at City) he averages about 2 or 3 a season.

 

If we are truly in for a top-level player like Pogba as a solution to our midfield lethargy (and I'm not convinced that we are), signing Milner might be a waste of time as he isn't on that level, and in terms of solid wide men we already have Willian, Ramires and Cuadrado. That said, at 30 he won't be a long-term option, and as a non-starting 12th man he would be a steal on a free transfer. I say go for it.

Seeing this thread has made me remember the sad tales of Oriol Romeu and Marco Van Ginkel, two players with so much potential picking up injuries virtually on arrival and now both look to have their careers going down the drain.

 

Either, had they reached the levels envisioned for them, would have been the added depth in midfield we so sorely need.

Why would a player move to another team where he'd be suffering the same issue that he currently has at City?

He's not going to be a first team pick here just like at City.

Everything adds up to this coming to nothing, using the head it won't happen IMO. Money isn't his motivation obviously or he'd stay on with City in a bit part role.

He will obviously move to a club where where he will be starting games as a first pick, othertwise he'd be daft to leave City and move to a club where his appearances would be even rarer.

 

But we're just assuming that the reason for leaving is to seek more first team football, he's actually played in 32 games so far this season. 

 

This wasn't a will it happen question it was a, "would you like to see it happen" question. 

 

It could well be that he just wants a change of scenery, he's been with City for 5 years come the end of the season perhaps he just fancies playing somewhere else. 

Personally think the club should have waited to see if Milner's contract expired in the summer before signing Cuadrado, but hey ho. Thought he was MOTM against us at their place earlier this season. I'd take him, give Willian more playing time in the #10 role and rotate Cuadrado/Milner on right wing.

 

If doesn't sign a new contract like Chelsbear think he'll either be at Liverpool next season (at right wing back?), or move abroad.

Edited March 20, 201511 yr by the special one

But we're just assuming that the reason for leaving is to seek more first team football, he's actually played in 32 games so far this season.

This wasn't a will it happen question it was a, "would you like to see it happen" question.

It could well be that he just wants a change of scenery, he's been with City for 5 years come the end of the season perhaps he just fancies playing somewhere else.

Yes but how many of them has he started? With City signing more midfielder every season his chances have been more limited. I think he's been starting more games of late because City wan't to keep him as he is useful to them.

Of course we'd have him but we would say the same with about 30 odd midfielder if given the choice, I like to bring in a bit of realism into my thinking about transfers.

I just can't see him leaving there to come to a club where his game time most likely would be even less considering we have a pretty settled first team that Jose usually goes with 9 times out of 10 while we are also trying to implement some younger players then you have the Mikel's and Ramires's of the squad who Jose clearly rates pretty highly.

He'd be a better option than our back up players, no doubt about it but at Milners stage of his career and with International football still important to him I can't see him coming to a team that won't require him in a startin 11.

I think it's more likely he will stay at City than come here but clubs like Liverpool would appeal to him in terms of getting first team games regularly.

Yes but how many of them has he started? With City signing more midfielder every season his chances have been more limited. I think he's been starting more games of late because City wan't to keep him as he is useful to them.

Of course we'd have him but we would say the same with about 30 odd midfielder if given the choice, I like to bring in a bit of realism into my thinking about transfers.

I just can't see him leaving there to come to a club where his game time most likely would be even less considering we have a pretty settled first team that Jose usually goes with 9 times out of 10 while we are also trying to implement some younger players then you have the Mikel's and Ramires's of the squad who Jose clearly rates pretty highly.

He'd be a better option than our back up players, no doubt about it but at Milners stage of his career and with International football still important to him I can't see him coming to a team that won't require him in a startin 11.

I think it's more likely he will stay at City than come here but clubs like Liverpool would appeal to him in terms of getting first team games regularly.

 

I think the numbers were 13 starts and 11 as sub in the league. 

 

6 starts out of 8 appearances in the Champions League and 2 starts in both the League Cup and FA Cup, so he's starting more than he is appearing as sub at present. 

 

Personally I'm not sure he would be anymore likely to start frequently at Liverpool than he is at Chelsea or Manchester City as they're quite well stocked in midfield already, even Gerrard hasn't gone straight back into the starting XI since returning from injury. 

Personally I'm not sure he would be anymore likely to start frequently at Liverpool than he is at Chelsea or Manchester City as they're quite well stocked in midfield already, even Gerrard hasn't gone straight back into the starting XI since returning from injury. 

 

Yeah, presumably his role for them (assuming they retain their current system) would be as a centre mid, but he is fairly similar to Henderson, who I can't imagine them dropping. Playing them together as a midfield two would be strange, even in the departure of Gerrard, as they would basically perform the same function and while they would cover a lot of ground and be relatively aggressive, they would lack composure, would leave too many gaps and it wouldn't fit their current style at all.

 

I suppose he might start as a right wing-back? Surely they don't see Markovic as a long-term solution there. I do find it funny that even Liverpool, hardly paragons of defensive solidity, consider Glen Johnson too sh*t a defender to start even at wing-back - you would think that would suit him down to a tee.

 

Man Utd could do with a player like Milner though, I don't know how comfortable he would be crossing the divide, but I think van Gaal would like him a lot and there is a Milner-sized hole in the centre of their midfield. He would also be great for a side like Everton, where he would stand out more.

No, not good enough. We already have enough work horses in the team.

Yeah, presumably his role for them (assuming they retain their current system) would be as a centre mid, but he is fairly similar to Henderson, who I can't imagine them dropping. Playing them together as a midfield two would be strange, even in the departure of Gerrard, as they would basically perform the same function and while they would cover a lot of ground and be relatively aggressive, they would lack composure, would leave too many gaps and it wouldn't fit their current style at all.

 

I suppose he might start as a right wing-back? Surely they don't see Markovic as a long-term solution there. I do find it funny that even Liverpool, hardly paragons of defensive solidity, consider Glen Johnson too sh*t a defender to start even at wing-back - you would think that would suit him down to a tee.

 

Man Utd could do with a player like Milner though, I don't know how comfortable he would be crossing the divide, but I think van Gaal would like him a lot and there is a Milner-sized hole in the centre of their midfield. He would also be great for a side like Everton, where he would stand out more.

 

I suppose it all depends on whether Rodgers wants to continue with the current system he uses (3-4-2-1?) or if he reverts back to a more traditional back four next season. 

 

Would Milner want to play wing back for most the season or is he even seen as a good signing for that role? I would have thought a more conventional fullback would be better.. Basically a Glenn Johnson type player who isn't sh*t. In terms of playing in the middle though, I agree, he is quite similar to Henderson (who is currently playing very well) so why would you want two work horses in the middle, it would probably stifle them in terms of distribution in that holding area. 

 

Can't see Milner crossing the Manchester divide myself, I think he'll respect his time at City too much for that (maybe a similar reason would see him not come to Chelsea?)

No thanks, he's a hard worker and nothing else. I don't see what he would bring to our team that any players we have in youth or out loan wouldn't give us tbh. 

 

If we are truly in for a top-level player like Pogba as a solution to our midfield lethargy (and I'm not convinced that we are), signing Milner might be a waste of time as he isn't on that level, and in terms of solid wide men we already have Willian, Ramires and Cuadrado. That said, at 30 he won't be a long-term option, and as a non-starting 12th man he would be a steal on a free transfer. I say go for it.

 

If we're signing Pogba (and I'm coming round to the idea) then that's Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Pogba, Loftus-Cheek and possibly one of Chalobah or Ake as back up. You could even include Zouma.

 

Milner's not the worst idea in the world but it's hardly that inspiring.

 

Plus he's a Leeds supporter. 

 

Plus he's a Leeds supporter. 

 

Eek - shut it down then.

Hell no. He would be the epitome of signing hard-working players instead of talented players.

If we're signing Pogba (and I'm coming round to the idea)

 

 

I keep swinging back and forth on this. 

 

One minute I convince myself there is no way he will leave Juventus or that we would spend £60m+ on a player.

 

Then the next day I'll I think about the new TV deal, the new shirt sponsorship and that we have been with savvy with FFP for the last two years and I think... Well maybe we could and possibly will spend big to get in a truly world class player such as Pogba or Bale. 

I keep swinging back and forth on this. 

 

One minute I convince myself there is no way he will leave Juventus or that we would spend £60m+ on a player.

 

Then the next day I'll I think about the new TV deal, the new shirt sponsorship and that we have been with savvy with FFP for the last two years and I think... Well maybe we could and possibly will spend big to get in a truly world class player such as Pogba or Bale. 

 

We can definitely afford him. Torres is off the pay-roll next year as well so that alone would cover it.

 

What is annoying is that the fourth, fifth and sixth biggest players on the FFP shopping list are Willian, Cuadrado and Luis.

We can definitely afford him. 

 

But would buying him leave us with much funds to strengthen other areas such as a quality back up to Costa? 

But would buying him leave us with much funds to strengthen other areas such as a quality back up to Costa? 

 

Probably. The additional sponsorship money alone would cover Torres transfer fee and wages over five years. If we moved on Ramires and Mikel that's another £8 million per season plus whatever transfer fee they'd bring in. Hazard is cheaper per season now since he signed the new contract, Drogba could well retire and there's even players like Romeu, Van Ginkel, Moses etc.

 

For me Varane is the man to get though. 

Probably. The additional sponsorship money alone would cover Torres transfer fee and wages over five years. If we moved on Ramires and Mikel that's another £8 million per season plus whatever transfer fee they'd bring in. Hazard is cheaper per season now since he signed the new contract, Drogba could well retire and there's even players like Romeu, Van Ginkel, Moses etc.

 

For me Varane is the man to get though. 

 

If we signed Pogba and Varane I'd be a very happy man... Chances of signing two players of that quality are pretty rare though. 

 

I think a lot of our summer business is going to hinge on who Jose allows to leave. 

 

If one or both of Mikel or Ramires go (probably for a fee of around £15m) you've freed up a place and have a little extra to go towards financing a new signing... But I'm not convinced either of those players will go just yet. 

 

I think there's a good chance Drogba will retire, 37 is pretty good going for a centre forward but I don't think he'll have much to offer us next season and I don't know if he'll fancy moving to yet another club so he might take on a backroom role at the club. 

 

I think Moses might make his move to Stoke permanent, he's had a good season there and Hughes seems to like him. 

 

Romeu is playing at bottom of the German league Stuttgart, can't see a way back for him and van Ginkel's injury hit year with Milan I think will see him head out on loan again. 

 

But yes, there does appear to be a bit of money for Jose to play with, I said awhile back I had a gut feeling something big was going to happen this summer transfer wise... Hopefully I'm right.