James Milner | England’s Most Under-valued Player

The culture of English football does not see the value in Milner, that is a shame

At this present time English football can be seen to be in a pretty decent place. It appears that a new generation of young players are starting to rise and show their burgeoning quality and with qualification for the World Cup secured we can enter 2014 with something akin to optimism. However there is a case to say that we have a real gem of a player who is not being valued highly enough for his worth to England and the Premier League.

Right now we are seeing the growing talents of players like Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as well as Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse at Southampton. Wayne Rooney appears a newly revitalised man and we have also seen Daniel Sturridge shine throughout 2013. 

Last season Michael Carrick was lauded as the best English player in the Premier League, finally achieving recognition for this talents and contribution. Yet there is a player who has arguably been one of the most consistent Englishman for the past several years; no not Frank Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard but James Milner. Yes that is right, the ‘work horse’, ‘Mr Versatility’ James Milner.

This blog previously wrote an article discussing why Michael Carrick was England’s most under-valued player, since then he has grown in value by the media and fans (correlation between that article and resulting appreciation?), which means he cannot really be regarded as under-valued anymore. Therefore James Milner takes this award. That is not meant as patronising or condescending, quite the opposite, to put it simpy Milner’s class and quality is not appreciated enough in England. 

Some my scoff at this, others may laugh, yet those who have a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the game will understand why Milner is under-valued.

So much so young

Now perhaps it is because Milner started his career so young at Leeds, he was the second youngest player to play in the Premier League at 16 years old and was at one stage the youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League also. His time at Leeds saw him play over 50 games yet because of the decline of Leeds at that time and he fact they were desperate for money meant he must leave and he was sold to Newcastle for £3.5m in 2004.

However Milner suffered at Newcastle due to a change of manager; Bobby Robson was replaced by Graeme Souness who did not value Milner as a player like Robson had and when Solano was bought from Villa Milner went the other way on a season long loan. He was reunited with David O’Leary and although he profited from the experience it was a disappointing season for the club. 

Villa had changes of their own in the summer of 2006. Doug Ellis sold the club to Randy Lerner and hired Martin O’Neill to replace O’Leary. Before he left O’Leary had wanted to sign Milner on a permanent deal yet Glenn Roeder, Newcastle’s new manager stressed he wanted to keep Milner as part of his new project. O’Neill however was keen on bringing Milner to Villa and on the final day of the window in August 2006 it appeared a £4m move was all in place. However it was cancelled by Newcastle at the last minute leaving Milner apparently distraught and in tears.

That season Milner was promised to be a starter for Newcastle and Roeder kept his word. Milner was praised for his attitude and work rate especially in training and was rewarded with a new four year deal for his contribution. However a season later Milner would finally complete his deal to Aston Villa, this time for £12m and would join Martin O’Neill’s project. 

A time of consistency and excellence

His time at Villa was where Milner really excelled and proved his quality. His time at Leeds and Newcastle had been when the clubs were in periods of difficulty and change, apparently before Villa he had played under thirteen managers and caretaker managers. For a young player it must have been difficult to find the consistency required to progress. 

At Villa under O’Neill he was afforded this and thrived under it. Perhaps he was just at the right age, 22 years old to be a regular (amazing to think how long a career he had already had at such a young age) and thus the timing was perfect. It helped too that Villa were a side progressing with serious aspirations for Champions League football. 

Initially Milner played on the right for Villa and did an excellent job both attacking and defending. Yet it was when he was moved centrally in his second season where he really excelled as a player. His reputation by many was that of a hard working shuttler who possessed limited skill but plenty of ‘heart’. Those who watched him at Villa realised he was more than that, he possessed excellent technical ability, could drive with the ball, create and score goals. Centre midfield was where he was best. 

And yet Villa would fail to reach the top four again and although they reached the League Cup final and FA Cup semi-final they would end the season without a trophy and that sought after Champions League. 

Milner’s performances had earned him the PFA Young player of the year award and had attracted the eyes of the big sides. It was Man City who showed their intent to prise him way. After taking Gareth Barry the year before they now wanted Villa’s best player once again. O’Neill did not want to sell his now prized asset but a £28m plus Stephen Ireland exchange was too good for Villa’s owner. That deal effectively killed Villa’s progress and put the club in a period of decline, transition and near chaos. As for Milner, he was now playing for a side with serious ambitions and the means to achieve those aims.

Showing his class at the top

Since his move to City he has won the FA Cup and Premier League title yet in the eyes of many is still deemed a ‘squad’ player who offers the side only hard work and commitment. It appears that no matter what he does as a player there are those who fail to see his quality. 

Now he may not be a prolific goalscorer and this is perhaps why he is not regarded so highly (something he does need to add to his game) however his contribution should not be regarded as being merely a hard worker. 

For those who watched the game versus Bayern at the Allianz Milner was the stand out player for City and after the initial Bayern onslaught perhaps the game. He assisted, won the penalty and scored the winning goal. Yes he worked hard but there was and is more to his game than that. 

Of course playing for such a rich and ambitious club makes it difficult for Milner to hold down a regular first team place, yet it is evident that he is enjoying playing under Pellegrini and evident that his coach values him highly. His ability to play in a multitude of positions effectively is great for a manager and of course this has meant different roles for Milner, something which should be commended and applauded yet which gives him the label of ‘Mr Versatile’, a term which often implies ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. 

Yet this is not true for Milner and Roy Hodgson should be taking note. Milner is accomplished both left and right wing yet his best position is centre midfield. For City he is third in line behind Toure and Fernandinho in the double pivot yet for England he must surely be regarded as the main option? 

Another not suited to the culture?

You see because of this ‘Golden Generation’ issue players like Milner have not been transitioned into the squad effectively enough. The Lampard/Gerrard problem has not only restricted Carrick and Scholes but Milner too. With the new generation of youngsters coming through, especially in central areas, England no longer requires Lampard, Gerrard or even Carrick. They don’t need to because James Milner is the man who can take that mantel on and be England’s leading central midfielder.

Perhaps he was kept too long in the Under 21’s, 46 appearances is a record yet he was clearly a player who needed the opportunity to move upwards. Yet the real problem for Milner is how he is perceived.

The problem for Milner and his reputation is quite simple and is a damning indictment of English culture. James Milner is England’s most dedicated and committed professional. He doesn’t drink and by all accounts rarely goes out to clubs, he is a model professional and a person who should be admired and applauded, a role model for young players. 

Instead what do the English media and fans say? That Milner is ‘boring’. Incredible. Our culture fails to appreciate a player who commits everything to his profession, who strives to improve constantly. For them this simply means he is just a ‘work-horse’. Apparently it is better to be drinking, partying, smoking and sleeping around than focusing on your job. The more headlines you grab the more your stock rises apparently. 

Milner is under-valued because he does not conform to the English football culture, he actually cares about looking after himself. What a boring ‘work-horse’. If only we could appreciate a player like Milner more, a respectful, hard working player who has earned and deserved his rise to the top of English football. 

This is who should be leading our national team, he not only possesses the professionalism but the skill too. If Hodgson and the FA want a player who will represent what the future ‘DNA’ of English football is as well as a player who can lead the national team in the coming years then they would be wrong to choose anyone else but James Milner.

Perhaps this blog see’s cause to fight for the underdog or perhaps it see’s players who are not valued highly enough for their quality. Players like Carrick and Milner are great professionals who play for England’s best clubs deservedly. They have won trophies and proved capable of performing at the highest level. And yet fans and the media continue to ridicule and belittle these players contributions, it is laughable yet also concerning that too many don’t see the worth of these players. 

Man City are profiting from their belief and trust in Milner, it is a shame England and the media cannot grasp this either. Will we see another talented player's England career wasted because of our cultural values? 

The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address