Beyond a relentless work rate, Milner's enduring Premier League impact lies in his adaptability and winning mentality. How does he still dominate?
James Milner's story is one of the most satisfying to grace the beautiful game.
To break the Premier League appearance record is still something that cannot be overlooked. But how good actually is he for Brighton this season?
The remarkable rise of James Milner
657 Premier League appearances. Six hundred and fifty-seven!
James Milner is a Premier League starting player at the ripe age of 40 for Brighton. Marking himself at another club, who simply cannot help but admire his work ethic and ability.
The latter is the factor not spoken about enough. Everyone talks about how incredible Milner's work rate is, and rightly so. He is one of the most impressive model professionals the game has ever seen, and there simply is no better role model for young players to progress at a club like Brighton. However, we are talking about a player who is still starting and performing weekly at a Premier League club.
The duration is insane. His appearance record is one thing, but in context, it's even crazier. Football has changed a lot over that period of time. In fact, football changes a lot every week.
From being a young 16-year-old who would clean the boots of the first teamers to keep himself within the approval of the squad, to winning:
- Three Premier League titles [2011/12, 2012/13, Man City], [2019/20, Liverpool]
- One Champions League [2018/19, Liverpool]
- Two FA Cups [2010/11, Man City], [2021/22, Liverpool]
- Two League Cups [2013/14, 2015/16, Man City]
- One Club World Cup [2019, Liverpool]
- One UEFA Super Cup [2019, Liverpool]
- Two Community Shields [2012, Man City], [2022, Liverpool]
- One Intertoto Cup [2006, Newcastle]
This type of trophy cabinet is not for an ordinary hard-working player. His talent has made him an undeniable, winning, international footballer. Milner's capability and versatility to play in numerous positions, adapting through decades of change both physically and tactically, and still keeping up to perform at the highest level, should never be understated.
In the modern age of football, versatility is everything. Positions have become less and less important, but Milner has gentrified that to fit his 'old-fashioned' mantras beyond belief.
While he has been labelled by former players, media, fans and himself as 'boring'... perhaps sometimes that truly is the best way to be a top person. Not just a player.
Milner's personality and leadership make him an all-time great and someone who is still being remembered for his personality over his sheer ability to keep progressing and pushing themselves to be the best they can be on a day-to-day basis. That is not normal.
A tough start at Albion
It has to be said that, for a long period of time, there was a lot of uncertainty around Milner's season.
Many Brighton fans were concerned about his ability at his age, especially with the way he appeared.
On multiple occasions, he was substituted onto the pitch to see a game out in the final 5-10 minutes, and proved to be a very ineffective way of utilising his strengths. One of the hardest things for a player to do is to come into a game at a high-pressure moment, made even harder by the nature of a player like Milner.
In some moments, this would almost definitely result in a goal conceded and dropped points. Whilst Milner received the majority of the blame at the time, hindsight suggests some tactical naivety with the decision-making of these moves.
Those issues have been looked beyond now, and for the first time, it truly feels like Milner is a Brighton player!
Milner starts most weeks, and since his consolidation into the starting 11, he has become a staple for the rise in form. Offering his stability, versatility and determination to a side that was desperately looking for a bit more experience. At times, as a fan, you find yourself wondering just how many different positions Milner can physically occupy during a 90-minute match, especially at his age.
His impact has drastically improved Fabian Hürzeler's side, and that aforementioned tactical naivety is mitigated somewhat by Milner's presence. Danny Welbeck recently alluded to Milner's voice in training, feeling like it was always behind them. His willingness to consistently show up and demand more from everyone around him has become a theme of his career.
Yankuba Minteh and Welbeck have both emphasised this help in recent interviews, and have proven their immeasurable support towards players of all ages.
To have your voice labelled in such high regard by fellow professionals is no mistake, and in all honesty, Milner is showing no signs of slowing down.
A couple more years, Mr Ribena?