In aTimesarticle listing who he believes are the top ten free signings in Premier League history, former striker Tony Cascarino has said that he believes Pep Guardiola must wish that City had kept hold of Liverpool's James Milner.
Manchester City moved into second on Sunday, two points ahead of Liverpool who have a game in hand against Everton, and seven points behind Chelsea with a 2-1 home win over Arsenal.
[Milner is] a jack of all trades who has become a master of many positions,� Cascarino said; City are a side who, despite the vast array of big names, have issues all over the pitch at the moment.
He is experienced across midfield, a regular at left back and reliable from the penalty spot. Milner is only 30; with his fitness and attitude he will play in the Premier League for many seasons to come. I imagine Pep Guardiola wishes he was still in Manchester.�
Milner can't, as far as we know, play in goal where City have had perhaps their biggest issue so far after bringing in Claudio Bravo to the club to replace Joe Hart, who was sent on loan to Torino. Bravo has conceded 17 goals and kept just three clean sheets so far this season.
Signed as muchfor their ability to fit in with Pep's requirement of playing out from the back as for their defensive capabilities, Bravo and John Stones have done little to cover themselves in glory so far this year, making three errors that have directly lead to goals between them.
The shocking defensive start has seen City linked with Benfica goalkeeper, Ederson Moraes, and £50m Stones relegated to the bench in favour of Aleksander Kolarov - a left-back.
Guardiola will be able to get a closer look at Milner when the two sides meet on New Year's Day in a highly anticipated title clash.