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Milner on a free in the summer

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He is desperate to play - that was my point - who would you drop? Without CL footy it might be OTT with Milner - if you want to use Hendo that is? And it kind of looks like we want to play him a lot - he is our Captain. So I suggested that a younger man, who would accept more of the bench, might be a good decision for that spot...?

Im not suggesting that we should be signing players for the bench - Im suggesting we might consider each position carefully and perhaps this one is is worth considering?

Unless you want to play him wide - out of position in my book even if he is forced out there for City.

Also - Is he suited for the pressing game? Not so sure tbh.

@Leo - Poulsen is the best DM to ever play in the PL. #feedthelions
 
This potential signing makes far too much sense for about half a dozen different reasons so it'll obviously not happen.
 
Unless its happening now, right now, this January, this month before the end of the window, preferably tomorrow, I'm not arsed about it until the summer.
 
Milner would be fantastic for us. He is a subtle, intelligent player that can play almost anywhere on the field and in any formation. He is also fairly strong and can put in a proper tackle. The only place on the field where I would not play him is CB and #9 (even though Mancini has played him there recently).

He would be effective in any of one of 6 positions in our diamond formation (all four midfield positions and wide forward). He would be perfect next to Henderson on the sides of the diamond behind Sterling. And, he would work well in the current setup as a wing-back, center-mid, or wide forward. In a 4-3-3, he can play any of the midfield or wide-forward roles and could even provide cover at fullback, if there are injuries.

He has the strength, athleticism and intelligence to play DM, if needed. Passing ability to play a holding playmaker role (a la Gerrard last year), and is intelligent enough runner to play the Coutinho, Lallana and Sterling roles.

Might seem like hyperbole, but I think he would be the perfect Gerrard replacement for next 2-3 years, while we groom someone younger for the long-term.

I would start him somewhere (likely in the middle of the field) for every important game.

I don't usually have much to say about potential signings, but this one truly excites me. Would work well from day 1.
 
He has always looked impressive and works very hard. As long as we don't offer him a 4 year contract on high wages then it would be a positive signing
 
Did somebody say he would be an "upgrade on Gerrard"? I don't think so. In fact, I always thought Milner was a "Gerrard-lite" – same versatility, intelligence and strong character, but maybe 30% less talent. And I genuinely mean it as a compliment – it's far from the worst thing in the world to be the "lite" version of one of the greatest players of the last decade. Maybe he could give us more than the aging Gerrard in terms of energy and how much legs are left in him (obviously he's a few years younger), but I think it's still wrong to say he'd be an "upgrade." When you replace Pirlo with Aquilani, you don't say it's an upgrade even when it's a 35 year old Pirlo. Gerrard deserves the same respect from our fans.
 
James Milner is an upgrade on the player formerly known as Steven Gerrard, precisely because he can give us more than Gerrard can next season.

That doesn't disrespect his career at all, he isn't the player he was a decade ago.

And he hasn't had the wherewithal to adapt his game as he got older, he's simply a lesser version of what he was l, which is why his best offer was to go the the Major League Retirement home for footballers.
 
Henderson actually scores more goals than Milner. Not sure about that comparison tbh.
 
When both of their careers are over, I think Henderson will be remembered as a better player than Milner. You can't be sure, but that's my feeling.
 
Milner's an excellent player who has applied himself well and developed throughout his career. He seems a sensible pro who will look after himself which adds to my enthusiasm for the deal. I hope we're all over this.
 
Hansern said:
He's on about 90k a week now.
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He is on a free and @29, would want that premium in wages. You don't want to save on that 20k per wk and see him at Arsenal or West ham. I'll throw him good money with majority on win/goal/trophy bonuses.
 
FreshRed said:
Milner would be fantastic for us. He is a subtle, intelligent player that can play almost anywhere on the field and in any formation. He is also fairly strong and can put in a proper tackle. The only place on the field where I would not play him is CB and #9 (even though Mancini has played him there recently).

He would be effective in any of one of 6 positions in our diamond formation (all four midfield positions and wide forward). He would be perfect next to Henderson on the sides of the diamond behind Sterling. And, he would work well in the current setup as a wing-back, center-mid, or wide forward. In a 4-3-3, he can play any of the midfield or wide-forward roles and could even provide cover at fullback, if there are injuries.

He has the strength, athleticism and intelligence to play DM, if needed. Passing ability to play a holding playmaker role (a la Gerrard last year), and is intelligent enough runner to play the Coutinho, Lallana and Sterling roles.

Might seem like hyperbole, but I think he would be the perfect Gerrard replacement for next 2-3 years, while we groom someone younger for the long-term.

I would start him somewhere (likely in the middle of the field) for every important game.

I don't usually have much to say about potential signings, but this one truly excites me. Would work well from day 1.
Click to expand...

I liked that he comes in as a substitute chasing a goal and he shows no jitters, no rawness and seamlessly blend into the team to contribute straightaway. We need that - no more of the "give him time" or that "small club to big club transition period" allowance we seem to give expensive players nowadays.
 
[article= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2901778/James-Milner-shining-roles-Manchester-City-versatile-midfielder-attracts-clubs.html#ixzz3OIrXNOg7]Here's the breakdown of James Milner's host of positions playing for Manchester City in 27 appearances in all competitions this season:
Midfield (right) - 5
Midfield (left) - 5
Forward/striker - 4
Attacking midfield (left) - 2
Midfield (centre) - 1
Substitute appearances - 10[/article]
 
gkmacca said:
He'd be more of a Ray Houghton sort of player for us.
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Thought Houghton had more skill - that's how I remember him anyway. More agile as well.

Think Henderson is much more mobile than Milner. Surely he runs more every game?

He is a Gerrard lite compared to 2005 and an upgrade compared to the 2012 version.

Would NEVER use him at a DM/HM position.

At 90000K a week - no thanks imo.

At 450000K - yes please.
 
Situations like this we need to pull out all of the stops to get talent in. We've consistently shown an inability to capitalize in the past.

I'm comfortable offering big wages to players because salaries are inevitably going to inflate anyways.
 
This would be a very good squad addition - there is a reason he is a very regular started at a team filled with players like Silva, Nasri, Yaya Toure etc. He's a good footballer and would bring a wise head to the team which we might need around Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic etc.
 
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