The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Merv]

I think we'd be crazy to sell Milner before the World Cup.

[Villa'Zawg]

If we want to get the so called 25/30 million fee, he has to go now.

I think his stock will go down in value.

Hes a very good player but at 20 million plus Ireland , we could  improve the team with that.

I doon't want a 25/30 million fee, I want to watch Milner play his football for Villa.

[BannedUserIAT]

This thread has expanded so much that there's little likelyhood of ever catching up so I'll ask now and apologise if it's already been addressed but, given that Ireland's appeared to have asked for a transfer, could we not look at getting him in to partner Jimmy? I'm sure if we offered Jimmy a new contract with the obvious increase in salary and then get a player in like Ireland would be enough to convince him that we're very serious about that Top 4 slot.

[Greg N'Ash]

Depends if the money's there for him AND a striker. what would he go for? 12-15m?

[BannedUserIAT]

Sounds about right. Question is will Randy look at the loss of Milner as a profitable one or something that is immeasurable as far as damage to the side goes.

As was said some pages back, Milner's the kind of player you could build a team aound for a long time to come. There's no way to be certain that his replacement will also be that sort of player.

[Clampy]

I think we'd be crazy to sell Milner before the World Cup.

Me too, and i don't think we will, unless a silly offer somes in before then.

[Greg N'Ash]

Aye. got a feeling if he does go, MON won't look to replace him directly and maybe tinker with the formation instead. I agree though. keeping Milner and buying Ireland would be a great move.

[Leicester_Villian]

Some questions now being asked if Milner will be in the World Cup 23 ..... if not I guess his value will dip sharply ............ and my guess  is that he would only be a part player at best so that would hardly increase his value

Much as we never want to sell any top players I would be happy to accept 25 million as believe this would improve the team

I am afraid that in the current 442 I do not believe Milner can play in that formation and offer what is required - maybe in 451 yes with him having a free role

End of the day if he wishes to leave we should get the best deal and invest in the team

[Dave]

Some questions now being asked if Milner will be in the World Cup 23 ..... if not I guess his value will dip sharply ............ and my guess  is that he would only be a part player at best so that would hardly increase his value

If anyone doesn't think that he'll be in the final 23 I will bet them any money that they like that he will be.

[Mossie Hennebry]

If we sell Milner, it will prove to me that we are small time and just in it to make up the numbers. And it will be a waste of my f@#king time watching Villa anymore.
All my Sky 4 plus Spurs supporting mates have been questioning my sanity for years when I express my belief that Villa shouldn't be aiming for 4th, 3rd or 2nd, that we should be gunning for 1st. Exclaiming 'Who do you think you are!' and other such shite.
4th is no good to a club like Villa as we would probably get knocked out in the qualifiers. We should aim for 1st. It's a league ffs, and we're part of it, so why shouldn't we win it!? To win it we need the right type of players. Milner is exactly what we need. And we should surround him with skilled, hard-working and hard-nosed players.

[Concrete John]

Some questions now being asked if Milner will be in the World Cup 23 ..... if not I guess his value will dip sharply ............ and my guess  is that he would only be a part player at best so that would hardly increase his value

Much as we never want to sell any top players I would be happy to accept 25 million as believe this would improve the team

I am afraid that in the current 442 I do not believe Milner can play in that formation and offer what is required - maybe in 451 yes with him having a free role

End of the day if he wishes to leave we should get the best deal and invest in the team

Don't see how you can say that given he's been playing in 4-4-2 and got into the England squad and £20m offers for him on the back of it?

[Leicester_Villian]

The reason he is in the England 30 currently is that he is capable of playing in various positions ..... I doubt he would play in the centre for England from the start .....

Yes there has been a 20m bid but again its because he can play in various positions .... in addition he is English which to Man City means its adds to what they would pay due to the regulations next season

I stress that I would not wish to sell but are we suddenly saying that the 442 we played with worked last season ....... it didnt and was not the fault of any one player - we need to improve in the centre

[Concrete John]

The reason he is in the England 30 currently is that he is capable of playing in various positions ..... I doubt he would play in the centre for England from the start .....

Yes there has been a 20m bid but again its because he can play in various positions .... in addition he is English which to Man City means its adds to what they would pay due to the regulations next season

I stress that I would not wish to sell but are we suddenly saying that the 442 we played with worked last season ....... it didnt and was not the fault of any one player - we need to improve in the centre

Like anything, it can be improved, but I wouldn't say it didn't work either given our good results.

If I was to try and improve it I'd be looking for a change in Petrov's position.  Get a genuine holding player that can protect the back 4 and offer some height and muscle in there.  That would give Jimmy more freedom to get forward in the way Lampard and Gerrard do.

[sfx412]

Some questions now being asked if Milner will be in the World Cup 23 ..... if not I guess his value will dip sharply ............ and my guess  is that he would only be a part player at best so that would hardly increase his value

If anyone doesn't think that he'll be in the final 23 I will bet them any money that they like that he will be.

me too Milner will go to S Africa and most likely play from day 1

[Merv]

I'd be stunned if Milner didn't make the WC squad. He's a definite to travel, IMO. With Barry not yet fit - he's only just started running again FFS - who's ahead of Milner for a midfield role? Lampard and Gerrard. He's surely ahead of Carrick, Huddlestone and Parker. Even if Barry is fit, we won't go to the WC with just three midfielders.