City and England International James Milner is ready to face Liverpool on Monday night at Eastlands, promising to strive for the club to the best of his ability…
24 year old Milner has grown in stature within the English game from his development at Leeds through to representing Newcastle United and Aston Villa in the top flight.
An excellent reader of the game and reknowned for his professionalism, the Yorkshireman told our official site that he intends to remain as flexible as possible for Roberto Mancini as the new season gathers pace:
‘Wherever the manager wants me to play, I’ll do it to the best of my ability…I enjoy playing in the middle – that’s probably my best position and where I’ve shown by best form over the past 18 months. I’ve been at my most creative and scored goals from there and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I think that’s where the boss has signed me to play, but if he asks me to play anywhere else I’ll do what is best for the team.
‘…As long as we’re winning football matches, that’s all that counts.’
Despite the successes of superstar laden sides such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Chelsea, much has been made by football journalists of predicted player disharmony over squad rotation at City. Milner has this to say about the alledged problem:
‘You need competition at any successful club, because if players are comfortable whether they play well or not then performances are going to slip. You need players pushing each other every day to step out on that pitch, and if you know you are going to be replaced if you don’t perform, then that’s healthy for the team.’
And in absolute contrast to ex Blues midfielder Stephen Ireland’s venomous anti-City press conference where the Irishman rated himself a better player than any City signing this year, the 12 times capped England player said:
‘I enjoyed every second at Villa and the fans were brilliant to me. Stephen’s a good player who gives his all and was loved by the fans here with good reason. Hopefully I can show them what I’m all about.’
The sheer fury growing in Manchester over Ireland’s bitter tirade has been tempered somewhat by Milner’s professional focus.
Welcome to Manchester City, James.
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