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James Milner is eyeing a place at the heart of City's midfield as he prepares to chase his dream of a Premier League winner's medal following his move from Aston Villa.

Manager Roberto Mancini pinpointed the England player's versatility as a key factor in his pursuit of Milner following the summer arrivals of Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov, David Silva and Mario Bolatelli.

But 24-year-old James is warning his former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry and City's other top linkmen that he aims to play a central role when his Blues career kicks off against visitors Liverpool on Monday night.

Milner, who switched from the flank to the middle with notable success at Villa, said: "Wherever the manager wants me to play, I'll do it to the best of my ability.

"But 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 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"

Not that he is taking a starting place for granted: "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."

James, who links up with another former Villa pal in goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, received a rousing weekend farewell from Villa fans and expects Stephen Ireland, whose No.7 shirt he inherits, to go down a storm there.

He said: "I enjoyed every second there 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."

mcfc.co.uk

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

sandman wrote:

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

I hope that Barry cant get a start, I dont rate him for City half as much as I did when he played for Villa

CityGer wrote:

sandman wrote:

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

I hope that Barry cant get a start, I dont rate him for City half as much as I did when he played for Villa

He's has had some good games but has been mediocre in the main. He also appears to be get slower and less mobile by the week.

I think Milner, Yaya and Nige will be the main contenders for midfield berths, possibly all three away and two from three at home. Barry may be playing a bit part this season.

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

brite blu sky wrote:

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

Well if we dont know and the press dont even know how many DMs we have, then other managers and players are also not going to have a clue. There are so many options that we could almost play every game with a different set up. We can certainly change things around mid game. This could be an effective tactic over the course of a season.. every little advantage helps.

Not sure if anyone has noticed but deJong looks like he is making more forward passes and even some runs forward...

Keep them guessing thats what i say

Kladze wrote:

brite blu sky wrote:

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

Well if we dont know and the press dont even know how many DMs we have, then other managers and players are also not going to have a clue. There are so many options that we could almost play every game with a different set up. We can certainly change things around mid game. This could be an effective tactic over the course of a season.. every little advantage helps.

Not sure if anyone has noticed but deJong looks like he is making more forward passes and even some runs forward...

Keep them guessing thats what i say

I've noticed.
I first noticed it during the world cup actually.

Crossie wrote:
Milners left footed, so is Silva and AJ. Its getting abit cramped!!

LookMumImOnMCF.net wrote:I think there's going to be lots of rotation this season, I hope it's not our undoing.

Crossie wrote:De Jong is probably more useful against the better teams, but I dont think he will be rotating with Milner.

Kladze wrote:

brite blu sky wrote:

BlueMoonAwoken wrote:The thing i dont get where is barry or de jong going to fit in? if he continues to play barry on the left wing we will be so easy to work out, ok we might not concede lots of goals but we wont score many thats for sure. If he is hoping to play milner and toure in the middle and silva left wing and swp or johnson on the right then that means there is no place for eithe ballotelli or barry or de jong.

Well if we dont know and the press dont even know how many DMs we have, then other managers and players are also not going to have a clue. There are so many options that we could almost play every game with a different set up. We can certainly change things around mid game. This could be an effective tactic over the course of a season.. every little advantage helps.

Not sure if anyone has noticed but deJong looks like he is making more forward passes and even some runs forward...

Keep them guessing thats what i say

I've noticed.
I first noticed it during the world cup actually.