Pellegrini in warning that nobody is guaranteed a place in the team.
Manchester City’s James Milner is out of contract in the summer, and the Premier League champions are keen to get the midfielder tied down to a new deal – however boss Manuel Pellegrini isn’t making any guarantees over playing time.
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The Citizens will be desperate to keep hold of their England international, if only for their need for homegrown players, but with five goals and six assists Milner has been an important figure this season.
“All the people at the club who decide if James stays or goes want him to stay,” Pellegrini was quoted by the Mirror.
The 29-year-old, who is a target for Liverpool and Arsenal, has stalled over signing a new contract – wanting assurances over playing time and desiring a long-term, rather than short-term, contract.
Yet, Pellegrini won’t be guaranteeing anyone in his team a place in the XI, which could pave the way for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers to make a move:
“I have said from the beginning that I want him to stay. But even important players must fight for their place in the team.
“When you are at a big club, nobody has a guarantee that they will play because the competition is high.”