Signing James Milner makes sense for Brighton
Were you there when James Milner played against Brighton as a 17-year-old on loan at Swindon Town? 6,534 packed into Withdean for a 2-2 draw between Steve Coppell’s Seagulls and the Robins, for whom Milner was making his debut after signing for a month at the County Ground from The Leeds United.
The date? Saturday 6th September 2003. Yes, two thousand and three. Twitter was a noise the birds made, Tony Blair was in his second term as prime minister and The Darkness ruled the charts with their first studio album.
Of the current Albion first team squad, none of Evan Ferguson, Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte or Yasin Ayari were born when James Milner faced Brighton at the Theatre of Trees.
If the rumour mill is to be believed, Milner will become their teammate next season. A deal has all-but been agreed to bring Milner to the Amex when his Liverpool contract expires in the summer, making him one of the oldest signings in Albion history at the age of 37.
It is Milner’s age which has led to eyebrows being raised about Brighton acquiring his services. Age though is just a number and when you look beyond 37, you realise that is a signing which makes perfect sense for Brighton.
Firstly, there is what Milner can bring on the pitch. He might be ancient in football terms, but he still remains one of the fittest players at Liverpool – a club whose style of play relies on being fitter than their opponents.
Every pre-season, Jurgen Klopp puts his Reds through lactate tests, which measure aerobic endurance. And every pre-season, Milner wins.
Joe Gomez in 2019 is the only Liverpool player to come close to beating Milner, but even he proved no match for the veteran.
“Considering his age and how long he’s played for, to still be the fittest player in arguably the fittest team in the world, and by some margin, that takes some doing,” said Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson last summer.
Nothing is guaranteed in football, but Milner is about as safe a bet as you can find for a player who will be available most weeks.
In 2021-22, he played 39 times in all competitions as Liverpool won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and finished runners up in the Premier League and Champions League.
This season, he has again made 39 appearances with the potential for four more outings if he features in all the Reds’ remaining fixtures.
Much of Milner’s value comes from his versatility. He can play left, right, as a central midfielder and in both full back positions. This is undoubtedly what has attracted the attention of Brighton and Roberto De Zerbi.
Milner is unlikely to be a regular starter for the Albion, but by signing him De Zerbi suddenly has cover for Pervis Estupinan down one side, Joel Veltman and Tariq Lamptey on the other, and whoever winds up being the two holding midfield players next season.
De Zerbi, the club and Albion supporters are only too aware that a deeper squad is needed next season, especially if Brighton achieve their dream of European football.
Milner is the ideal recruit to ease the workload on the starting XI and provide capable back up in the event the Albion find themselves playing Thursday nights in Kazakhstan followed by Sunday afternoons in the Premier League.
Having never relied on pace, Milner is not a player who is susceptible to fading as he gets old. It is why Brighton fans can hold out hope that Pascal Gross could still be a Premier League regular in six years time (yes, Milner is six years older than Der Kaiser).
Then there is what Milner brings off the pitch. His supreme fitness stems from his absolute professionalism, something which can only be a positive influence on the young players at the Albion.
Much of the credit for the success Brighton have enjoyed over the past two seasons has been given to the way they fearlessly offer such individuals opportunities to shine.
It would not be such an effective strategy, however, if the Albion did not sprinkle their squad with experienced heads to help the contingent of teenagers and players in their early 20s thrive.
Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck have both proven inspired signings in that regard. Lewis Dunk too is the perfect leader as a captain who has worked his way to the top from League One.
Adding a player like Milner who has won every major domestic honour in English football, a Champions League and been capped 61 times for his country can only be a good thing.
James Milner could play only 10 times for Brighton in 2023-24. Just having him on the training ground, working every day with Brighton’s young squad will be of huge benefit to the Albion and the careers of those players.
The way in which De Zerbi talks about Lallana, Welbeck, Dunk and Gross shows that he values having experienced, older professionals around.
Milner for his part has apparently been blown away by the Albion manager, which had made the deal bringing him to the Amex a formality.
Brighton have no doubt sought the services of Milner with one eye on the future, too. Lallana was signed on an initial three-year contract as the Albion wanted to integrate him into their coaching setup once his playing days were finished.
Like Lallana, Milner is clearly an intelligent bloke with a temperament and understanding of football that would appear well suited to management.
Brighton stand to benefit from Milner beyond what he can offer on the pitch next season should he then take his first steps into coaching with the Seagulls.
There is another very good reason for signing Milner too, although it is probably not one which the club or De Zerbi will have taken into consideration.
Players who played at both Withdean and the Amex are now in short supply, with most either having retired or being a long way away from Premier League football.
A Brighton team with Dunk and Milner in it would contain two. Even more remarkable, Milner played his first professional game at the Theatre of Trees seven years before Dunk.
But don’t worry about that. James Miler would still be a great signing for Brighton, even if he is 37.
