Friday 1 August 2014 15:43, UK
James Milner says the number of minutes he gets at Manchester City will determine whether he signs a new contract.
The England international has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Four years at City have delivered two Premier League titles and successes in FA Cup and League Cup competition.
I love it here and hopefully I can be here for a long time to come. But that’s determined on how much football I get. I just want to feel like I’m contributing.
Milner admits his preference would be to remain with the reigning English champions and compete for more major honours, but he has warned that he needs to be playing in order to commit.
The versatile 28-year-old said: “Basically, I want to be here – as long as I’m playing.
“I love it here and hopefully I can be here for a long time to come. But that’s determined on 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.
“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.
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“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.”
Retaining the Premier League crown is a top priority for Milner and City this season, but he acknowledges that the chase is likely to be closer than ever – with all of the title hopefuls having strengthened over the summer.
Milner added: “It’ll be tight, it was very competitive last year.
“I would have thought it would be close. It’s down to us to go out there and show we are the best, I suppose.”
