Why This £80,000-A-Week Star Is Manchester City’s Unsung Hero

When he signed for City from Aston Villa five years ago for €28.5 million, there were people who felt the price paid for him too much. The thinking then and it still persist is that English players are overpriced and do not live up to potentials. However, so far, Milner has proved his critics wrong.  Amassing 117 appearances for the team and scoring 8 goals, he has certainly been a faithful servant to the club, winning two league titles, an FA cup, a League cup as well as a community shield. Though on the fringes of the first team last season, registering under 15 appearances, he has been a regular starter this season.

For many who don’t realize it, this gritty Englishman with a passion for fitness, and is said to have a wonderful awareness of players around him and bring them into play, has been the consummate professional. His refusal to sign a new contract till he is sure about his playing time underlines his passion for always wanting to be on the pitch, fighting for team and club, for honor. This he confirmed when he said; “I want to look back at the end of my career and say; I have won this , achieved this. Hopefully I’ve got everything out of my career” gives you an insight into why he should be and is regarded an important member of the team. Not only does he have passion, but also he is selfless. These are traits exhibited by fans favorites Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta. And this is why fans must clamor that he signs a new contract.

Of course passion and selflessness are not the only reason why he should sign a new contract, his work rate and ability to deliver when it matters most is another reason why he is an important team member. Last season at the Allianz Arena, when it seemed like City were going to receive the beating of their life at the hands of a rampaging Bayern. Already down by two goals, Milner hassled, dragged and pushed the team with a goal to his name to see the game end 3:2 with a win for city in an unexpected way. If that was no evidence, this season, with Man City down by a man, and trailing by a goal down against Chelsea in the Etihad, it was Milner (that fine gentleman) who once again stood between defeat and a draw. Switching position three different times from the left wing to being a left back and so forth, he calmly provided the pass that Lampard converted into a goal to rescue a point for City. Oh, I should mention that he fills a quota in the homegrown requirement for City and therefore they cannot afford to lose him, as already Gareth Barry, Joleen Lescot, Micah Richards are no longer with City.

There is no denying that indeed Milner has been an important first team member for City, and he will continue to be an important team member for the foreseeable future.