It looks as though we’re imminently going to complete the Bosman signing of James Milner (via BBC Sport), with the 29-year-old Englishman expected to arrive on July 1st.
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If this is so, he’ll be our first confirmed signing of an interesting summer – with the squad needing major improvements to give ourselves the best chance of finishing in the top four next term.
One of the advantages of Milner, along with his experience and title winning credentials, is his almost unrivalled versatility.
And with Brendan Rodgers known for using various tactical set-ups, the England international could be used in a variety of positions and roles come 2015/16.
We’ve outlined just a few – and explained how he’d fulfil them.
Central midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3…
This is the position Milner would most like to play, and the reason he doesn’t want to stay at the Etihad, reckons Manchester Evening News.
According to WhoScored, he was only given two central midfield starts in the Premier League all season in this role last term. It’s where he was often so brilliant for Aston Villa though, and why City splashed out £26m on him back in 2010… In this respect, it could be argued that Milner is a Steven Gerrard replacement option. While he can’t pass like our legendary departing skipper, he’ll cover more ground, is sharper over short distances and is arguably more disciplined.
He’d need a genuine holding midfielder alongside him in the 4-2-3-1 though, such are his attacking tendencies, meaning we can’t see him being used in a natural midfield pivot with Jordan Henderson – who would also be creatively wasted as an anchorman.
Instead, deploying Milner and Henderson in a slightly advanced central midfield role in front of a natural defensive midfielder (like Lucas, Emre Can or a new signing…) seems to make more sense.
Right or left winger in the 4-3-3…
This is where Milner has been used predominantly at City. He’s equally adept on the right or the left, and offers as much defensively as he does offensively in this position. As a result – he’s often played wide in big matches against the best sides – much like Park ji Sung used to be at Manchester United.
Milner has a fantastic cross, and actually makes a number of key passes from this position. He registered seven assists for City last term as a result of both of these key attributes – which is why City’s various managers have been so happy to use him wide. His end product is good, but he doesn’t possess the magic or speed to produce moments out of nothing from here – which is why he’s not an especially fashionable winger.
In terms of consistency though, we’ll always know we’ll get an honest job from Milner, and he’ll make chances, too. His set-piece delivery is also an improvement on what we already have.
‘No.10’ in the 4-2-3-1…
Villa used him as the no.10 in his final season at the club (2009/10), and he bagged 12 goals in all competitions. He actually has a rasping strike from range, and in this position, he’ll have the most opportunities for sighters on goal – which he is denied when ploughing the flanks.
However – Milner’s chances of playing the pivotal creative role us are restricted because of a certain Brazilian playmaker…
Coutinho showed this term just gone that the team needs to built around him – and he more than deserves the key creative role. Unless Coutinho is rested or injured, Milner is unlikely to play here above our no.10.
Right or left wing-back in the 3-4-3
Milner’s been used as a natural right-back in the past, and as a right wing-back for England, too. The role suits his attributes in that he’s unbelievably energetic, and will maraud the touchline for the entirely of the 90 minutes – doing whatever job his manager requires.
Due to his defensive acumen and tackling ability, he’ll get back and contribute when the opposition are in possession, while offering an overlapping outlet when we’re attacking.
While he could do a seriously good job here, it’s difficult to see Milner agreeing a move, aged 29, to a club outside of the Champions League where he’d be asked to fulfil the graveyard wing-back shift. Perhaps this would only be an option in an injury crisis.
Striker in the 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3
Now bare with us…
Milner is not a natural centre-forward, as he doesn’t have a striker’s instinct or finishing ability – but read what Manuel Pellegrini had to say about one of his favourite players earlier in the season (via Manchester Evening News).
“I played him as a forward and the team averaged three goals a game. He gives everything. You leave him on the bench and he’s absolutely furious but watch him during the game: encouraging, shouting, supporting. And in the next training session he kills himself,” he said.
“Milner’s a phenomenon, a guy with big balls and a heart this big,” he continued.
“Intelligent, great mentality, one of those players that when you leave him out you’re left with this feeling of injustice; it hurts because he should always play but sometimes you need a technical player with other characteristics. I hope he stays. If he doesn’t it will be because there’s an important offer.”
Our centre-forward problems are well known, and while we’d prefer a fit Daniel Sturridge or a new signing up top – it’d be better to have Milner working ferociously there than a lethargic Mario Balotelli or Rickie Lambert.
This is very much a final option, of course – but it outlines just how handy Milner could be for us should he complete the transfer.