Back page In a modern age of football, where we witness so many foreign superstars gracing the Premier League, the amount of homegrown players within a squad is becoming increasingly crucial.
When the top teams may only have a handful of British players at their disposal, individual British players are key to a top flight squad, and some of the best sport betting sites are offering odds on where Milner ends up.
Manchester City will have only one English player at the club next season which comes in goalkeeper, Joe Hart. Midfielder Milner is likely to leave the Etihad on a free, with Liverpool the most likely destination for the Three Lions international.
The most admirable and attractive attribute that Milner has is no doubt his versatility. A player that can play anywhere in midfield, he has played in nearly every position this season for City.
Whether it has been on the right, left, in the centre or behind the striker – the Brit has been there and succeeded. Even playing as a makeshift striker himself on three occasions, Milner has been invaluable for City this season.
He’s been with the Sky Blue’s since joining from Aston Villa in 2010 and in those five years he has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup – not too bad.
However, it now seems that he has decided that it’s time for a change in surroundings. Reports say that he wants to stay in the North-West of England, and with Liverpool interested, it’s no surprise that Anfield is a consideration for the 29-year-old.
It’s not just his nationality that City are going to miss; his on the field abilities are what has made him a firm fan favourite with the Citizens.
Superb athleticism and impressive energy are what Manchester City are going to miss most when Milner departs this summer. In a team full up with creative ‘artists’ the warrior type player is essential.
He’s been that warrior for City year after year; the sort of player that every fan wishes they had at their club, and in a way it symbolises an end of an era at Manchester City.
His tenacity and incredibly high work rate are traits that need to be matched within the whole squad if they want to make another surge for the title next year.
Manuel Pellegrini recently quite rightly said that he would struggle to find a player as well-rounded as Milner. He’s good in the air, has pace, can pass and possesses an impressive shot on him.
He may be incredibly all rounded and versatile, but the main reason why he is set to leave the Etihad this summer is because of his frequent role on the substitutes bench.
In a team like Liverpool, he is sure to have much more game time in the starting 11, which is what he wants and what he deserves.
It’s obviously been way too long for Liverpool to have gone without winning any trophies. It’s been a difficult season for Brendan Rodgers’ team, but it is a vitally important summer, and they will need to equip themselves with the right individuals.
Milner has so much experience, and will be able to co-operate in any position in Liverpool’s diamond. Rodgers has been mightily impressed with Emre Can and his versatility, and has recently said that he wished he had more players who could play in multiple positions, so this explains his keen interest with Milner.
The magnitude of the gap he is going to leave in City’s squad is still unknown, but it is no doubt that he would be an asset to any top Premier League club.
Milner would fit right into Rodgers’ team at Liverpool next season, but they aren’t the only club interested. The Reds are joined by Merseyside rivals Everton and in form Arsenal in the race for his signature, but Milner is unlikely to join the Gunners.
He would be able to fit in to pretty much any team, so not surprisingly, there is a large list of potential suitors.
City will have to come to terms soon with the departure of the midfielder. They will also have to sign multiple homegrown players to adhere to the 25-man squad rules and they will struggle to replace such an integral part of their system.
