A disappointing season by Manchester City’s standards has seen them fall along way short of regaining their Premier League crown as Chelsea stole the show by becoming worthy champions and despite their defeat on Monday night still hold an unassailable eight point advantage.
City are expected to ring the changes over the summer and there looks certain to be plenty of transfer activity over the next few months as Manuel Pellegrini reshuffles his side into one that can challenge for the league once again as well as put up a better showing in Europe.
And while there have been a number of stars linked with a move to the Etihad during the transfer window, some of City’s key players could be on their way out of the club if reports are to be believed.
One of these players is England international James Milner, who looks set to leave the Blues after five years in Manchester.
The 29-year-old has been heavily linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool as his contract at City draws to a close and despite the clubs best efforts to keep hold of the midfielder he may well be leaving on a free transfer in the next few weeks.
City are thought to have offered Milner one last improved contract in a bid to ensure he remains at the Etihad, and although he has previously dismissed such offers, he really should consider staying put as he would be foolish to move elsewhere.
In the past Milner has felt undervalued at the club, and rightly left frustrated by a lack of first-team football. Having only started 12 games last season he had every right to consider a move given his quality which was being wasted as he sat on the bench.
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But City’s latest victory at Swansea saw Milner score a fine goal in his 44th appearance of the season, and 31st in the league from a possible 37 league fixtures.
Pellegrini has continued to speak of Milner’s importance to the club, and the fact he has started 27 games this term which is more than double of last season’s total, goes to show just how important he vital he has become.
And it’s not just the smaller teams he has featured against, having started in both games with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona highlighting how is also trusted in the big games.
He may feel he wants to be starting every game possible which a move to Arsenal or Liverpool may cater for, but in reality it would be step down from where he is now.
City are the second best team in the Premier League and a move away would arguably dent his chances of picking up more trophies during his career.
He’s guaranteed Champions League football, something which Liverpool can’t offer him, and with a few new additions they are sure to be challenging at the top of the table once again. The same certainly can’t be said about Liverpool, and for Arsenal, well there’s a chance but it’s not a guarantee.
And then he has the contract itself to consider. At this point in his career a four year deal of £165,000 a week is certainly nothing to be sniffed at and realistically it’s one he should be signing.
If he puts pen to paper, the deal would make him one of the top earners at the club with an estimated £34m. Surely that type of money shows how much they value him and want to keep him.
It’s clear the Citizens are desperate to sign him up to a new contract, particularly as he is an English player, and although at first he had a right to dismiss their offer; having played a big part this season and with the contract being offered to him, it shows he is a wanted man.
To leave a club that presents him with the best chance of silverware would be a bad move, and the fact he is being offered £165k a week shows he’s not going to be a bit part player. Would they be offering that type of money if he wasn’t part of their first-team plans? Certainly not!
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