• Premier League

Milner: I'll only stay at City if they play me

ESPN staff
August 1, 2014
James Milner is in the final year of his Manchester City contract © PA Photos
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James Milner is keen to stay at Manchester City - but only if he is granted enough playing time.

The England international midfielder has entered the last season on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and says his future depends upon how much he plays this year.

Milner appeared in 31 league games last season, but only started 12 of them as manager Manuel Pellegrini preferred David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas on the flanks and was reluctant to use him in the centre of midfield.

City have been reluctant to sell Milner, who has been linked with Arsenal this summer, but risk losing him on a free transfer next summer if he does not agree a new deal - and he is not ready to commit to the club yet.

"Basically, I want to be here - as long as I'm playing," Milner said. "I love it here and hopefully I can be here for a long time to come. But that's determined by how much football I get. I just want to feel like I'm contributing.

"I played a fair amount last year - maybe not as many in the league as I would have liked - but I felt like I contributed to the trophies I won. That's what it's about."

Milner joined City for £26 million from Aston Villa in 2010 and has won the Premier League twice as well as the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup with them. He added: "If you win trophies and you haven't played as much as you wanted, it can be frustrating. But that wasn't the case last year and hopefully it won't be this either.

"I played in important games at the end of last season, it was pleasing to help them win trophies. That's what it's all about, I want as many minutes as I can. Competition is tough but when you get out there, you have to go and help the team.

"I've been here four years now. There's big-money signings every year. You want to play against the top teams, play with the best players in the world. We definitely have that at City. You test yourself every single day in training."

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