English Premier League: O’Neill says Milner wants to leave as Gosling joins Newcastle
Aston Villa’s manager Martin O’Neill has conceded that his star midfielder, James Milner wants to leave the Birmingham club. O’Neill bought Milner from Newcastle in the summer of 2008 and at Aston Villa, Milner has developed into a complete footballer.
Milner, who was born in Leeds, started off his football career at his home town club, Leeds United. Newcastle bought Milner from Leeds in 2004, after he had a successful loan spell for his former club Newcastle at Swindon Town.
Villa gave Milner the opportunity to play regular first team football and mature as a footballer, as a result Milner was also picked for the English National Team’s 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. Milner displayed only limited flashes of brilliance in South Africa and played a hand in one out of England’s three goals during the tournament.
Milner also started in England’s round of sixteen match against Germany but he failed to impress against England’s European rivals. Milner is known for his excellent crossing ability as well as his versatility. He can play anywhere across the midfield and has done so regularly for Aston Villa.
Villa’s manager recently came out and said that, Milner and his agent had informed the club about their desire to leave. He added that, Manchester City made a bid for the English midfielder but it was rejected because of the difference of player’s evaluation between City and Villa.
Aston Villa are looking for some healthy compensation if they are indeed to lose their best player in the squad. Martin O’Neill also stated that if the difference in evaluation can be overcome and a price is decided between both the English clubs then the player can very well leave Aston Villa.
On the other hand, Milner’s former England U-21 team mate, Dan Gosling has joined Newcastle after he left Everton F.C as a free agent. Everton were unable to secure the young midfielder with a new offer of contract and thus Gosling parted ways with the Merseyside club.
Most of the blame for losing out on Dan Gosling is being poured on some kind of an administrative misunderstanding at Everton who claim that they had already had a verbal agreement with Gosling but as events turned out, they were unable to produce a written form of the contract which Dan could have signed upon.
Everton’s failure to offer a proper contract to Gosling before his previous one ran out has seen the youngster move to Newcastle United. Gosling commented on his transfer to Newcastle by stating that, he is happy with the move which is a brilliant one for him. He added that, he has played at St.James’s Park before and the atmosphere during Newcastle’s home games is just amazing.
Dan also said that, playing in the white and black stripes of Newcastle will be something to savor because he will get a chance to perform in front of fifty odd thousand people in the stands. Newcastle United also released a statement saying that, they were delighted to sign Gosling. The Tyne side club further stated that, Dan is a young player who already has premier league experience.
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