I’m a bit off football at the moment, no real desire to watch many games for numerous reasons that I’m sure I share with many here. However James Milner consistently reminds me of what can be good in the game. Firstly he is an exceptional player despite not having the high profile of much less capable individuals. In the Leeds Utd first team at 16 and has represented Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and currently Liverpool with great distinction, more about Liverpool later. He has represented England 131 times, from Under 16 to full international including 46 at Under 21 which remains a record I doubt will be broken. I doubt he ever said no. He chose to end his own England career after deciding he wasn’t better than those coming through, no hanging on kicking and screaming for James.
There is the mock Twitter account @BoringJamesMilner which is ridiculously funny and which he has embraced with good spirit. including the video here that he made one Christmas while at City. A quick search of Wikipedia lead me to the James Milner Foundation, which doesn’t really surprise me.
What leads me to post about him here? Well this season he has been playing left back for Liverpool, non football lovers may say “so what?” For a start he is naturally right footed and a natural midfield player where he has spent his whole career. He just gets on with it in a world where others moan if they have to fit into a “system” that doesn’t suit them James Milner fills in a left back and excels being a consistent 8 out of 10 in every single game. No sulks, no moans, no running to the press just the ultimate, consummate professional. I would love him to be my son, he would make the perfect boyfriend for your daughter, he is the role model all young players should aspire to be. In a world and sport so rotten at it’s core and so obsessed and pleased with itself that James Milner shines as a beacon of hope. If I had my way he would be PFA Player of The Year this year because to play so out of position at such a high level over so many games genuinely dwarves any achievements from any other premiership player. It’s like asking Ringo to play bass and sing.
He will go about in his unassuming way while others grab the headlines but I suspect among us here we will recognise in Milner a man and footballer from another time and place. He’s a 33rpm vinyl in a world of MP3’s and I love him for it.
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MC Escher says
Great post Dave. As a Leeds supporter I hold him in high esteem and I concur with nearly every word.
Rigid Digit says
Top notch player – consistent, no frills, no prima-donna-isms.
Plays wherever he is asked to, and as you say plays pretty darn well each time.
Dare I invoke the 70s/80s phrase: a proper utility player
He regularly played all across the midfield for England – seemingly settling at left wing, as there was no-one else doing the job
Just wish I had the cash left, or the ability to shuffle the team to get him in my Fantasy Team – rarely misses a game, a scores consistently for little outlay.
(a case of “Fantasy” imitating life)
Dodger Lane says
Well said Dave, a good player and pro. When he was sold by Leeds United it felt bad that the club couldn’t even be bothered to try and hold onto a teenager steeped in the club. He may not be a star but he’s had a good career and I would have him back at Leeds
Iggypop1 says
Milner to Liverpool, one of the best free transfers ever !! How the hell did Man City let that happen ??
moseleymoles says
As a City fan I am mystified too. He’s been a better full back for Liverpool than Kolarov has on many occasions for us this season. I know he wasn’t happy at the number of games he was starting and being seen as a squad player rather than a first team regular, so fair enough. A great player for us in the Mancini era, Pellegrini seemed to trust him less as a starter, though he was played regularly as a sub right to the end.
Black Type says
Yes, cap doffed to an underrated and very fine player, although as a Man Utd fan I do think he’s made some dubious club choices 😉
Jeff says
Excellent post Dave, well said.
I rarely, if ever, watch football at any level, but when I have watched the England team in recent years I’ve really enjoyed watching Milner. Almost unique amongst professional footballers (in my admittedly very uninformed view), he gives me a very strong sense that the paying punter is getting extremely good VFM; his workrate is not only fantastic but it’s also really productive – he makes stuff happen.
And my Dad would have rated him very highly; that, on its own, would be good enough for me.
Blue Boy says
Great post. As it happens I was at Anfield last night (as a neutral). He caught the eye for precisely the reasons you give – nothing flashy, but he worked his proverbials off all night, he consistently used the ball well when he had it and made himself a right nuisance to the opposition. If I had one criticism it would be that he didn’t really assume the mantle of leader on the pitch that his team desperately needed – but he was hardly alone in that. Maybe he’s just too modest and too much of a team player to be a Gerrard.
jezk says
As a Liverpool fan he can do no wrong in my eyes. Penalty taker extraordinaire.
count jim moriarty says
I’m always dubious about anyone who has played for Newcastle or Dirty Leeds (never mind both!), but he has been a fine pro, a good example who has never kicked up a fuss or acted the prima donna, just goit on with whatever he has been asked to do.