Oct
15
Versatility is the name of the game in the fight for squad places…
By
After the last couple of over-hyped International games (from an England fans perspective anyway) I am looking forward to turning my attention back to a full calender of games.
However, from all the media rubbish, comes an opportunity.
The James Milner that lines up for Aston Villa in August next year will be just as pasty as the one that lines up against Chelsea this weekend.
James Milner will be spending his summer in South Africa. He is the modern day Phil Neville – only talented.
Blue noses and Mancunians alike, calm down… I love the enforcer as much as the next man. But James Milner is a “proper” footballer, one who I believe could go on to be a regular fixture in the England first team.
He is the traditional “23rd man”, or the modern day “22nd man”, such is the trend to give the final spot to the latest teenage revelation in the hope they turn out to be a superstar in the making… and then to still not play them when they are the only viable option left fit in their position…
He can play left back, right back, either wing, as an attacking midfielder, or as the holding midfielder. All to a strong Premiership standard.
That is mighty impressive for someone of his age. His delivery is 1st class from set pieces and wide positions. He can tackle. He will run himself into the ground, and has “a little bit of the Rooney” about him when you see him on the pitch.
Combining such versatility with such effort is valuable enough, again see, “Neville, P”.
Stir in a large dollop of natural talent and you have yourself quite a footballer.
If Rafa had bought him when he was looking at him I think Liverpool wouldn’t have put in some of the performances they have so far (Villa, Fiorentina…)
To be honest SAF could put in a £14 million bid in January and I would be more than happy.
What was the famous Graeme Souness quote? “We’ll never win anything with a team of James Milners”.
Maybe this was misconstrued? Taken out of context? A reference to needing some experience to add to a talented squad of 19 year olds?
Or maybe this is just more evidence that Mr Souness is an arrogant, aggressive, self important fool who should never again be put in charge of professional football team. I wouldn’t want him in charge of my local pub team either come to think of it. The man is a prize prat.
He is currently 4/5 with Paddy Power to make the squad, which is a good 20% above most of the market. Take it now for an 80% return in only 9 months.
BOTW: 8pts on James Milner to make the England World Cup Squad @ 4/5
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