Spurs head 3 clubs who’d fit free-agent Milner like a glove
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Manchester City’s relaxed attitude towards James Milner’s fast-expiring contract is a curious situation.
Either the defending Premier League champions are so blasé about replacing the midfielder should he walk away on a free they simply don’t see the need to enter discussions, or they just don’t rate his value to the team.
Whatever the reason for the continued inaction on the part of the Etihad club, there is sure to be plenty of sides in the league willing to make the 53-capped international feel more at home this summer.
Some will be a better fit for the 29-year-old than others, so we’ve picked out the three that should be at the top of Milner’s thinking:
Key to Milner’s future, whether that is at City or somewhere else, is his role. At 29, the midfielder will want assurances of regular game-time to ensure he doesn’t spend the prime of his career on the pine.
At Spurs Milner would see the pitch constantly. Mauricio Pochettino’s real problem position is out wide, Aaron Lennon has already departed and none of Andros Townsend, Nacer Chadli or Erik Lamela has nailed down the number one spot.
With the Argentine keen on a high-energy, pressing game Milner would join Harry Kane and Ryan Mason as one of the best exponents of that should he switch to White Hart Lane, while his final delivery is certainly better than Townsend and Lamela’s.
If the Saints’ push for European football is successful this season, they’ll need summer recruits of Milner’s experience to flesh out the squad in preparation.
Perhaps lacking the pace required to play on the wing in Ronald Koeman’s preferred 4-3-3 system, Milner could quite easily move inside to play in central midfield, where his all-round game could flourish like a better version of Steven Davis.
The Toffees are having a bad campaign, which could cost them in luring well-known internationals to Goodison Park this summer. However, they aren’t going to be a bottom-half club forever.
An upgrade on current Everton wide-man Aiden McGeady, Milner would start a lot of games for Roberto Martinez, who is still searching for his ideal touchline-hugger, as the loans of Lennon, Christian Atsu and Gerard Deulofeu indicate in recent times.
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