James Milner

[Chazza]

Top of the wanted list according to Oliver Kay in tomorrow's Times.

[Gazzla]

****s sake, what a depressing link the stereotypical he always gives a 100% English footballer, Dirk Kuyt but without the goal threat

[Tee]

Useful player but FFS this is so uninspiring.

[Leyton388]

Stevies replacement sorted then. ****ing depressing.

[Patricks_Berger]

Given our lack of energy, mobility and strength in the middle of the park he'd be a great addition and might help us cut out the sort of crap that sees us surrender the midfield (and a 2 goal lead) to the likes of Leicester City.

[Tee]

My enduring memory of him will be his utterly woeful displays for England, especially in the first WC game in SA. He has improved but I am starting to despise our whole set up and ethos.

[lfcpl]

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/manchestercity/article4317048.ece

Exclusive: Liverpool put James Milner at top of wanted list

Oliver Kay Chief Football Correspondent
Published 1 minute ago

Liverpool have begun planning for life after Steven Gerrard’s departure by looking to exploit the growing uncertainty over James Milner’s future at Manchester City.

The Merseyside club are in pole position to sign Milner on a free transfer at the end of the season after the breakdown of his contract negotiations with City.

Milner has informed City team-mates that he believes there is little chance of him staying at the club beyond the expiry of his contract this summer after he was told last week that there will be no improvement on the offer he rejected last month. Despite having been a more regular starter this season, Milner, who turned 29 this week, feels that his long-term prospects at City look less encouraging in the light of the club’s take-it-or-leave-it approach to negotiations.

The England midfielder has been eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club since January 1, amid reported enthusiasm from Inter Milan and Roma, and also attracted firm interest from Arsenal last summer, but the strongest bid is expected to come from Liverpool if no agreement has been reached with City by the end of the season.

Liverpool need to revamp their midfield in view of Gerrard’s looming departure to Los Angeles Galaxy, who confirmed yesterday that the former England captain will join them in July on an 18-month deal. “We were aggressive in our pursuit of Steven and look forward to his contributions on and off the field,” Chris Klein, the Galaxy president, said.

Liverpool have a longstanding interest in Milner, who has been discussed at length by their transfer committee, including Brendan Rodgers, and scouting department. Their hopes of signing him hinge on the stalemate in his negotiations with City, but, as the impasse has dragged on, the Merseyside club have made plans to offer Milner a long-term deal as part of a midfield overhaul.

Milner has started ten of City’s opening 20 Premier League matches this season, having started only 12 times last season, and his versatility is valued by Manuel Pellegrini, who has used him at centre forward in recent matches to ease an injury crisis. For City to lose him would represent another blow in their annual struggle to meet the Premier League’s and Uefa’s home-grown player quota.

Fabian Delph, another England midfielder who has been on Liverpool’s radar, is the subject of growing interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Like Milner, Delph is in the final months of his contract, in his case at Aston Villa, and has so far rejected offers to sign a new deal.

[Red Wino]

Yay. Joe Cole MkII.

[Patricks_Berger]

Yay. Joe Cole MkII.

Apart from being English and on a free- where are the similarities?

[Slinky Skills]

Given our lack of energy, mobility and strength in the middle of the park he'd be a great addition and might help us cut out the sort of crap that sees us surrender the midfield (and a 2 goal lead) to the likes of Leicester City.

Have to agree.

I think people think he's uninspiring because of who he is, the fact he's English and not foreign.

Let's look at the positives from potentially signing him of which there are many.

Firstly all of the above. He brings a lot of energy and strength to the midfield as well as assisting the front players. He's a great all round player. Has lots of experience at the very highest level at City and would bring this with him if he were to move which also means he brings a strong, winning mentality with him.

Doesn't mind being a squad player as he doesn't always get opportunities at City but he seems to display a very good positive attitude which is what BR is looking for I'd have thought.

He can tackle, shoot, cross. Has some skills, decent feet and is comfortable on either side. Gets goals, is still relatively young as well.

I really can't see many negatives if any with this signing. I can't understand what everyone is getting so upset about. Yes, we'd all like the likes of Reus etc to join but realistically it's not going to happen.

[Boogs]

My enduring memory of him will be his utterly woeful displays for England, especially in the first WC game in SA. He has improved but I am starting to despise our whole set up and ethos.

I would say you've been vocal for some time about your dissatisfaction with how the way things are being done

[Reece]

I personally think Milner is really underrated by some. I know he's not necessarily the first name on the team sheet for Citeh but he usually seems to put in good performances for them whenever I see him.

He's an experienced Premier League winner who can play in a number positions. On a free it's a no brainer to me.

[dom9]

He changed the game at Anfield last season, resulting in positive reviews from many on here.

[Pablo]

I personally think Milner is really underrated by some. I know he's not necessarily the first name on the team sheet for Citeh but he usually seems to put in good performances for them whenever I see him.

He's an experienced Premier League winner who can play in a number positions. On a free it's a no brainer to me.

Agree. Presuming his wages demands aren't ridiculous, we should definitely be in for him. We need the experience too

[Phoenix07]

I'd have him here. Criminally underrated, and it'd give Rossiter and Williams time to develop.

Henderson, Can, Delph and Milner would give energy and a quick transition in our play from defence to attack. I can't see Rodgers selling Allen, but it'd mean the end for Lucas.