Micah Richards: 'James Milner too good for Manchester City bench'

Micah Richards has claimed that James Milner is too good to be on the Manchester City bench.

The midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Premier League champions, with Liverpool reportedly interested in his services.

Milner is out of contract at the end of the season and is free to hold talks with overseas clubs.

Richards, who is currently on loan at Fiorentina, believes that the 29-year-old could benefit from a move abroad.

"James Milner is up there with the top midfielders in the world. A lot of people say he's not amazing at one particular thing but he never lets the team down and Man City are a better team when he plays," the defender told talkSPORT.

"If the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid or Juventus and Roma in Serie A want you, then I don't see why [he should not leave England].

"Milner is someone who is too good to be sitting on the bench. He deserves to be playing in the starting 11 somewhere. That will be one of the key factors in his decision."

Milner joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2010 for around £28.5m.