James Milner To Manchester City: Just Sign On The Dotted Line
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Aug 17, 2010 3:51 PM BST
in AVFC
Email
PrintJames Milner is completing a medical at Manchester City and Stephen Ireland is at Bodymoor for his.
What needs to be said has been said over and over. Villa is getting £18M. And a midfielder. We're getting the better end of the bargain.
Supposedly.
But yesterday's news of a 24-hour ultimatum gave me hope. I thought maybe, just maybe, it gave City an out, a way to save face. With 54,821 players on their roster, they certainly don't need another clogging the bench. It appears, however, that City are finding a way to finish the deal.
The fire has gone out. I'm no longer angry at James Milner. After Martin O'Neill left, I started to suspect that things weren't quite what they seemed. Maybe Milner never said he wanted to go to City. Maybe he's simply being a decent person, going where the clubs tell him he's being sent.
It's always been my inclination to believe Milner is a footballer with a bit of integrity, and he showed that Saturday. He wasn't pouting about still being with Aston Villa. He hasn't been whining to the press about the horror that was the MON regime. Milner simply wants to know where he's going so he can focus his attention there, rather than waste time worrying about it.
The deal isn't entirely done yet, of course. But we know that it's as good as. Time to pack up the Milner jerseys and order the Albrighton ones.
17 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
If I were you guys, I'd be doing a happy dance.
Ozil is signing for Real for approx £12 Million. You guys are getting six million more PLUS a proven, young, home grown replacement.
If Milner was from, say, Turkey, I doubt his value would be so high.
And I don’t even rate Milner that highly anyway.
You guys just robbed City, just like with Barry, it is time to celebrate and to praise your directors for maximising the value of their asset.
I am absolutely rapt about this
Albrighton and Ireland are capable of turning Gabriel Agbonlahor or John Carew into a 20-goal scorer! The future is bright, the future is Claret and Blue!
From the Richmond, Virginia bureau of Kevin MacDonald’s Claret and Blue Army!
"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Aug 17, 2010 4:30 PM BST up reply actions
I love the fact that we robbed you with Barry and now Barry will likely not be a starter.
Of course I’m happy for the funds, but if the funds can’t be used, well…
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Aug 17, 2010 4:46 PM BST up reply actions
It's not always about transfer expenditure though. I believe that Villa have a wage problem: this sale will go a long way towards easing that, which may mean that in 18 months time you don't have to sell other assets, like Young.
Bright side!
by EnglishMariner on Aug 17, 2010 5:10 PM BST up reply actions
Whil all of this is true, this is just as much about Villa not having Milner as it is Manchester City having Milner.
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 17, 2010 5:00 PM BST up reply actions
Ireland will be a good player for Villa though. If you weren't getting a replacement then I'd be pissed, but this replacement is almost like-for-like.
by EnglishMariner on Aug 17, 2010 5:09 PM BST up reply actions
No it isn't
Ireland doesn’t have nearly the defensive ability Milner does. Villa will be required to play Petrov much deeper with Ireland in front of him
by Graham MacAree on Aug 17, 2010 5:18 PM BST up reply actions
Right, that's the thing people are missing.
Milner was box-to-box, Ireland is a CAM. Which doesn’t mean he can’t be a good player, but he’s not as flexible as Milner by half.
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 17, 2010 5:48 PM BST up reply actions
I guess so, Ireland is no mug at putting tackles in, but his range is certainly less than Milner's.
by EnglishMariner on Aug 17, 2010 6:28 PM BST up reply actions
In the limited chance I've had to watch Ireland, he seems to try to use aggressiveness to compensate for his lack of range,
Which makes me a little nervous, honestly.
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 17, 2010 6:32 PM BST up reply actions
Better end of the deal
I’ll be honest, I think that Villa came out on top in this one. They got fair money, and a player that I think is better than Milner. Yes I said it, Ireland is better than Milner. Not last year, but definetly before that. He was instrumental for Man City, and three years ago was their best player. The reason his stock has dropped doesn’t have anything to do with his abilities, he just didn’t play. I think that he’ll have a little renaissance at Villa, when he actually gets some playing time. I agree though, not as versitile as Milner. But Melner’s tackling wasn’t ever that good.
Chris
Absolute steal for Villa.
£18M plus Man City’s best player of 2008-2009 is a fantastic return for Milner. While the team will be slightly different (as previously pointed out, Milner plays box-to-box), Ireland is an offensive monster when given playing time. You’ll really enjoy him.
Formerly RyanGiggs11, currently a Contributor to SBN Philly // @scotkess
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
Scott and Chris are spot on
Villa absolutely ripped off City. I’m not convinced Milner is much better than Ireland. Remember how good Ireland was a couple years ago?
"A couple of years ago" being the operative words here.
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 18, 2010 12:25 AM BST up reply actions
Easily argued as stupid managing.
He was supplanted by the need to spend money, not because he got any worse.
Formerly RyanGiggs11, currently a Contributor to SBN Philly // @scotkess
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Aug 18, 2010 12:26 AM BST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on 7500 To Holte
Related FanShots on 7500 To Holte
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
