In praise of James Milner, Brighton midfield marshal

Despite all the excitement over Brighton & Hove Albion’s new young raft of talent this summer, for me the 38-year-old former England international James Milner has been one of the club’s most enthusing performers so far.

If you would had said to most Brighton fans even a couple of weeks ago that it would be Milner who would fill the void left by Pascal Gross, many would have laughed.

But the loss of Gross’s football intelligence and on-pitch leadership is more than matched by Brighton’s number six.

Maybe I am biased; I can’t help but have a soft spot for Milner. Particularly given he is now the only Brighton player who is older than me, so I personally hope he continues on forever.

Some would claim it is mostly familiarity that gains Milner praise. After all, it has been 22 years since he made his Premier League debut and 15 since his first England appearance. But you don’t maintain that level of longevity without something very special.

Whilst he may have lost some of the engine which saw him fly around the pitch in the earlier part of his career, his ability to influence a game from wherever he is on the football pitch is not lost to him. If anything, it is as prominent as ever.

Over that time, his dependability and professionalism have shone brighter than most at the top level of English football.

Against Manchester United, James Milner started alongside Billy Gilmour in the centre of the Brighton midfield. He showed some of his much younger teammates how it is done.

Take Mats Wieffer, for example. Wieffer missed the United game through a minor injury. But if we are honest, it probably spared the Dutchman the ignominy of being dropped on merit after what was at times a struggling debut against Everton.

Fabian Hurzeler admitted as much, saying after the win at Goodison Park that Wieffer “did not have the best start to the game”.

Meanwhile, the hugely talented and equally heralded youngster Carlos Baleba – who has shown evidence of his ability only in fits and starts – came on for Milner as a 73rd minute substitute in the United win.

Milner isn’t usually the sort of player who receives such hype as his younger teammates have. He never has been.

He won’t often lead the way in prominent matchday statistics on an individual match day, or regularly receive individual ratings of 8 or 9 out of 10. But he is dependable and reliable in all areas of the game.

That said, he may well have been making headlines had Portuguese international Diogo Dalot not cleared his second half shot off the line and instead given Brighton a crucial second goal. Meaning Milner is still yet to get on the scoresheet for the Albion.

Praise therefore rarely comes the way of Milner, unless you are his manager. Back in 2009, ahead of giving Milner his England debut, Fabio Capello told the press: “The player I like is Milner. He’s the future, my future.” Many were surprised, but the Italian has an eye for a player which is better than most.

Meanwhile his manager at his most recent club Liverpool Jurgen Klopp said of him: “I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word ‘role model’.”

“But Millie is the role model, how he puts himself pretty much in place to be every day 100 per cent ready. It’s a pure example; absolutely outstanding.” And that was said after a very public falling out between the pair.

His manager at Newcastle United was the late, great Sir Bobby Robson. Shortly after Milner joined the Toon, Robson said: “He is a young talent who is going to be very good for us. I was desperate to get him and we have done. He has a big future, I’m certain of that.”

Milner’s Premier League debut was given to him over two decades ago at Leeds United by the legend that was Terry Venables.

Venables knew a good footballer when he sae one. He called Milner “a very special young man”, going onto say: “He is a very good player, no doubt about it.”

“He is a fine young fellow. The sort of guy you want to be involved in your football club and in your squad. He is the kind of person who will make it better for longer.” Remember at the time Venables was referring to a 16-year-old kid.

In fact go back through the archives and you will be hard pushed to find a manager who does not have something similar to say about Brighton’s evergreen midfield marshal.

It may be that Wieffer and or Baleba grow into the role James Milner is currently fulfilling in the Brighton midfield under Hurzeler and usurp him.

Or that the Albion go out and bring in a player from elsewhere who takes Milner’s place. But for now, Milner is rightfully and superbly leading Brighton’s midfield.

And Hurzeler appears to have quickly taken a shine to the veteran midfielder too, saying after the opening day win over Everton: “I am amazed not by the player but by the character of the player, I know now why he has had such success in his career.”

“He’s an unbelievable character. He’s a leader, a role model in terms of preparing for every training session. After training he takes care of his teammates, he takes care of himself, he always sees the wellness of the club. On top of that he is still a great player. We saw that today. He made a great performance.”

Again, maybe I an biased, but I think those who assume Milner will again play a bit-part role this season and will soon be overtaken by Brighton’s talented young midfielders – purely due to his advancing years – will have to reconsider their position after his impressive start to the season.

You can have all the talent in the world, but there are few who match the character and know-how of Milner.

And in a largely young, inexperienced Brighton squad, the presence of James Milner in that number six role could be just what the team needs to help it to further new heights once again.

Whether that is with him in the starting XI, or by him pushing his competitors for a place in the centre of midfield to higher standards.

Phil