James Philip Milner[2] (born 4 January 1986) is an English footballer who plays as a winger or central midfielder for Premier League side Manchester City and the England national team. He previously played for Leeds United, Swindon Town, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. He is mainly a winger but is versatile and can deputise at both full-back positions when needed. In the 2009–10 season he was utilised in a more central position by Aston Villa.[3]

Milner's talent in football, cricket, and long-distance running was recognised when he was a child. He represented his school in these sports and played football for amateur teams from Rawdon and Horsforth. He supported Leeds United from a young age and was a season ticket holder at the club. In 1996 he joined the Leeds United youth academy and worked his way up. He made his debut for the first team in 2002, aged only 16, and gained prominence as the youngest player to score in the Premier League.

While at Leeds United, he spent time on loan at Swindon Town to gain experience as a first-team player. Following his move to Newcastle United, he was loaned to Aston Villa for a season. He had since established himself as a regular starter in the Newcastle, and later the Villa and Manchester City first teams. He made more than 100 appearances for Newcastle, as well as making a record number of appearances for the England under-21 team. He made his debut for the full team against the Netherlands in August 2009 and also played at the 2010 World cup.

Early life

Milner was born in Wortley, and raised in Horsforth, Leeds, he played most of his childhood football for Westbrook Lane Primary School in Horsforth. He was later educated at Horsforth School. Graeme Coulson, a coach from Rawdon, recognised Milner's talent and persuaded him to play for Rawdon in several tournaments, including a tournament at Rawdon Meadows, where Milner scored four goals in their victory in the final.[4]

I noted his name and it was one not to be forgotten. He was an outstanding talent scoring lots of goals but he was also very strong.

–Graeme Coulson[4]

Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) and an award for his performance in physical education.[4][5] Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running. He played for the Yorkshire Schools cricket team, was the cross-country champion at his school for three consecutive years and was the district champion over 100 metres for two years in a row.[4] He then completed his studies at Boston Spa School; at which the sports college was a partner to the football club.[citation needed]

Milner took as much interest in watching football as he did playing it. He supported his hometown club Leeds United from a young age. His earliest memory of the team was watching them win the FA Youth Cup in 1993. He and his parents, Peter and Lesley, were season ticket holders and Milner later became a ball boy for the club.[6]

When Milner was 10 years old, he joined the Leeds United Academy after being spotted by a scout while playing for Westbrook Juniors in Horsforth.[4] At the academy, Milner played against contemporaries from other clubs in the north, including future Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. His role model was Leeds-born Alan Smith, who was then a Leeds United striker. Milner believed playing with Smith put him through a learning curve, as Smith had done what Milner aspired to do; that is, to come through the academy and play for the first team.[6] Having made good progress at the Academy, Milner was taken on as a trainee after leaving school.[4] However, his father insisted that he attend college once a week to continue his education.[7] Milner remarked later that he did not want to get excited and think that he "had already made it". He also said he could hardly believe he was playing alongside first-team Leeds players such as David Batty and Olivier Dacourt.[5] He continued to improve his skills in the youth team, and played for the Republic of Ireland at under-14 level and England at under-15 and −17 levels.[4][8] He helped the England under-17 team win the 2002 Nationwide summer tournament against Italy, Czech Republic and Brazil, scoring a goal against the latter.[9]

Club career

Leeds United

Milner's debut for Leeds United came on 10 November 2002, in a game against West Ham United, when he came on as a substitute for Jason Wilcox for the last six minutes. The appearance made him the second youngest player ever to play in the Premier League, at the age of 16 years and 309 days.[10] On Boxing Day of that year, he became the youngest player to score in the Premier League, with a goal in a 2–1 win against Sunderland.[11] His record has since been broken by James Vaughan of Everton.

In a match against Chelsea a month later, Milner scored again, with a deft first touch of the ball and manoeuvre, in order to avoid a tackle from Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly, that won widespread praise from commentators. The manoeuvre created a yard of space for him to deliver a curling shot from 18 yards (16 m).[12] Reporters were impressed by his overall performance in the game, especially by his desire, confidence, and ability with both feet. Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri remarked after the game that Milner had performed like a much more experienced player.[13] The performance prompted comparisons to England internationals Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, who had also come to footballing prominence as teenagers.[14] The BBC asked in a poll on their website if he was a better prospect than Rooney. After more appearances for Leeds, Milner signed a five-year contract with them on 10 February 2003.[15] At the start of the 2003–04 season, Milner was sent on a month-long loan to Division Two side Swindon Town to gain experience as a first-team player. Before the stint, he saw it as a valuable experience as a player.[6] He spent a month with Swindon, playing in six games and scoring two goals against Peterborough[16] and Luton.[17]

However, Leeds United's fortunes were on the decline; the team became the subject of numerous negative stories in the media, and several first-team players were sold. Milner said he believed that this experience made him emotionally stronger and taught him how to deal with team problems.[6] Leeds's eventual relegation to the Championship led to speculation over Milner's future at the club. Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton all expressed an interest in signing him.[10] Ultimately, Villa and Everton did not make offers and Milner rejected an offer from Tottenham as they were based too far from his family home, where he still lived.[18][19] Leeds insisted that he would not be sold and the chairman of the club at the time even referred to him as "the future of Leeds".[6] Nonetheless, financial problems eventually forced Leeds to sell Milner to Newcastle United for an initial price of £3,600,000.[20] Although Milner was not happy to be leaving the club he had supported as a child, he wished to do what was "in the club's best interest"[6] and in July 2004, he agreed a five-year deal with Newcastle.[10]

Newcastle United

Milner playing for Newcastle United.

Milner made his first appearance for Newcastle United during their pre-season tour of Asia, scoring his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Kitchee, in Hong Kong.[21] During this tour, he took the opportunity to observe how Newcastle striker Alan Shearer dealt with attention from fans and the media. He said that his association with people like Shearer gave him a better idea of how to deal with the media.[5]

Milner's first Premier League game for Newcastle came against Middlesbrough on 18 August 2004, in which he played on the extreme right of the field as a winger, despite having featured regularly on the left for Leeds. When asked about this after the game, Milner said he had no preference where on the pitch he played.[22] A month later he made his debut in European competition, when Newcastle played in the UEFA Cup against Bnei Sakhnin from Israel, after coming on as a substitute for Shola Ameobi.[23] In the same month, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, also as a substitute, in a 3–1 win against West Bromwich Albion.[24] It looked probable he would soon start a game.

However, the situation changed for Milner after Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, whom Milner considered his mentor, was sacked and replaced by Graeme Souness. Under Souness, he started 13 league games, but did not play his first full Premier League game for Newcastle until April 2005. By the end of the season, he had made 41 appearances in all competitions and scored once. Souness did not make Milner a regular in the Newcastle side and controversially remarked that the club would not win "with a team of James Milners". Milner's response to this statement was reported as "mature".[25] He did however confirm that he was frustrated at not being used as a starter for most of the season.[26]

At the start of the 2005–06 season, Milner scored in Newcastle's 3–1 away win against FK ZTS Dubnica in the Intertoto Cup, and also set up Shearer for the team's third goal.[27] His good run of form in this competition continued when he scored in the next round against Deportivo de Coruña. Despite these goals, a clause in Newcastle's purchase of Nolberto Solano from Aston Villa resulted in Milner being loaned to Villa for the rest of the season.Villa manager David O'Leary, who had managed Milner at Leeds, was happy to acquire Milner in this deal, saying that he believed Villa got the better of the deal and that he hoped to improve him as a player.[28][29]

Loan to Aston Villa

Milner made his Villa debut on 12 September 2005 in a Premiership match against West Ham. Five days later, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. In a League Cup game less than a week later, he helped his side recover from being 3–1 down at half-time to win 8–3 against Wycombe Wanderers, scoring two goals in the second half comeback.[30] Throughout the season Milner was positive about his team. He remained confident that Villa would recover from a poor start to the season and praised the quality of the squad.[31]

Milner was generally seen as a positive signing in a season that was disappointing for Villa.[32] Milner himself also received the loan move positively, saying that he would like to join Villa permanently because of the probability of becoming a regular starter, but admitted that the possibility of this happening was beyond his control.[33] Manager David O'Leary confirmed during the season that he would like Milner to join the club permanently, but doubted he would be given the opportunity to sign him.[34] He even pulled out of signing Robert Huth so that he would have the funds to sign Milner permanently if the opportunity arose.[35] Shortly before the end of his loan period, negotiations between Villa and Newcastle began.

The newly-appointed Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder appeared to appreciate Milner's ability more than Souness and expressed a desire that he remain a Newcastle player.[36] This, as well as the departure of O'Leary and the shortage of transfer funds at Villa, meant that a deal to sign Milner permanently seemed unlikely.[37] In June, it became even less likely when Villa rejected an offer of Milner as part of a trade for Gareth Barry.[38] However, the deal was resurrected when Villa were taken over by American billionaire Randy Lerner, and Martin O'Neill was appointed as new Villa manager. Villa made an improved offer on 30 August, which was accepted by Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd. Media sources quoted the transfer fee as being £4,000,000. A move to Villa appeared to have been agreed, but at the last moment Newcastle recalled Milner and the talks broke down.[39][40]

Return to Newcastle United

Milner takes a free kick during the 2006–07 season

Newcastle's players and manager Glenn Roeder reacted positively to Milner's return at the start of the 2006–07 season.[41] Roeder praised Milner for the way he had handled the failed Villa transfer, although Roeder's own handling of the negotiations was criticised. Roeder confirmed that he would play Milner in "plenty of games" during the season. This proved to be the case, as Milner was a starter in the Newcastle side for the entire season.[39]

Newcastle made a poor start in the Premier League, but in European competition, Milner played a key role in helping Newcastle advance through the group stage of the UEFA Cup. Shortly after, rumours began to spread that he would be sold during the transfer window in January, although both Milner and Roeder dismissed these rumours.[42]

Milner, warming up before a pre-season friendly match

On 1 January 2007 Milner scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw with Manchester United. The goal came from a "stunning" shot from 25 yards (23 m) away.[43] He scored two more goals during the next three weeks, against Birmingham City and then against West Ham United. Both of these were scored from at least 20 yards (20 m) away. Later in the season, Roeder praised the progress Milner had made and said that he believed him to be the hardest-training player at the club. Also during the season, Milner displayed his ability to play comfortably in a range of different positions by scoring and setting up goals with both feet from both sides.[44] As a result, Milner signed a new contract at Newcastle in January, which secured his future at the club until 2011.[45][46] He signed another four-year contract in May 2007, when Sam Allardyce took over as manager of Newcastle.[47] Milner said later in the year that he was happy about his future at the club and its new manager saying the that training sessions were "the best since I have been here".[48] Allardyce said during the season that Milner was so keen to play, that he was concerned he would "burn out mentally [and] physically". As a result, Milner played mainly as a substitute in the early part of the season.[49]

In late October, he scored Newcastle's 500th home Premier League goal in a 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.[50] A second Premier League goal of the season came fortuitously in the Tyne-Wear derby from a shot intended as a cross.[51] Allardyce praised Milner highly during the season, saying he was "a hugely experienced Premier League player".[52]

After missing the final nine games of the season due to a foot injury,[53] it was rumoured in May 2008 that he would be part of a transfer between Newcastle and Liverpool.[54] Despite starting the season for Newcastle and scoring in a League Cup win over Coventry City, it was revealed after the game that Milner had handed in a written transfer request the week before.[55] Milner signed for Aston Villa on 29 August 2008 for a fee of twelve million pounds,[56] and signed a four-year contract with the club.[57]

Return to Aston Villa

Milner in training at Villa Park

Milner made his debut for Villa on 31 August 2008 as a second-half substitute against Liverpool.[58] His first goals in his second spell at Villa came in a third round FA Cup tie against Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium on 4 January 2009 on his 23rd birthday, where he scored both goals in a 2–1 win for Villa.[59]

Milner's first Premier League goal in his second spell at Villa came on 17 January 2009 in a match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Milner headed in a cross from Villa midfielder Ashley Young to level the scores at 1–1, Villa went on to win the match 2–1.[60] On 7 February 2009, Milner was named to the England full team squad for the first time, after a run at club level that had impressed England manager Fabio Capello.[61] Milner continued to impress and scored his second league goal of the season against Blackburn Rovers with a rifled shot from a difficult angle after a corner had not been closed down. He later scored a free-kick from outside the penalty area at home against Everton as Villa came back from a 3–1 deficit to draw level at 3–3.[62] He stated that his time at Villa is the "most settled" period of his career so far, having played under thirteen managers and caretakers despite being only 23.[63][64] On 19 May 2010, Manchester City made a £20 million offer for Milner which was rejected.[65] On 22 July 2010, Villa manager Martin O'Neill said that Milner had shown a desire to leave Villa for City, but would only be sold at Villa's valuation.[66] On 14 August despite being on the verge of a move to Manchester City, Milner played in Villa's first game of the season against West Ham United, scoring Villa's third goal. Milner was given a standing ovation when he was substituted near the end of the game.[67]

Manchester City

On 17 August 2010 it was reported that Aston Villa had agreed a deal with Manchester City to sell Milner subject to a medical. The deal was reported to be worth around £26 million,[68] including a player exchange of Stephen Ireland, valued at £8 million.[69] Milner made his debut for City on 23 August 2010 in a 3-0 win against Liverpool, where he set up the first goal for former Villa teammate Gareth Barry .[70]

International career

Under-21s

Milner (in white, playing for England Under-21 side) delivers a cross

After representing England at the U-15 and U-17 levels, Milner was promoted to the U-20 level and called up for the 2003 World Youth Championship. Soon after this, Under-21 manager Peter Taylor called him up to the England Under-21 side and Milner made his debut against Sweden on 30 March 2004.[71]

Milner scored his first goal for the England Under-21 side during the 2004–05 season in a qualification game for the 2007 European Under-21 Championship, against Wales. During the game, in which he played in the centre of midfield, he also set up a scoring chance for Darren Bent as the Young Lions won 2–0.[72] Despite domestic club troubles, he continued to make progress at international level, scoring the winning goal for the England Under-21 side in a 3–2 win over Switzerland. The win secured England a place in the playoff stage of the 2007 Under-21 European Championship qualifiers.[73]

In June, Milner competed for England at the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. He played in all four of England's matches and was booked in the semi-final against the Netherlands, which meant he would have missed the final. The game was decided by a penalty shootout, in which Milner scored twice and England lost 13–12.[74] Milner's performance in the tournament led to rumours that he would make his full England debut in a friendly against Germany, but he was not included in the squad for the match.[75] He was however included in the Under-21 squad for a friendly against Romania, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[76] A month later, Milner set an England Under-21 record by making his 30th appearance for the side in a 3–0 win against Montenegro. During this game, he set up the first goal from a corner. Historically, players with several England Under-21 appearances have not progressed to become regulars in the senior side, which has led some to doubt whether Milner would be able to successfully make the transition.[77] In October, he scored his third goal for the Under-21 side in a 3–0 win over Republic of Ireland.[78] He scored again in the return game four months later that England also won 3–0.[79]

Milner continued to be a regular and was the only player, along with Joe Hart and captain Steven Taylor, to have played in all the qualifiers for the European Championships. In the summer of 2009, he was in the final 23-man U21 squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in Sweden. He helped set up the winning goal for Micah Richards against Finland, and manager Stuart Pearce said after the match, "The modern-day full-back can get up and down the pitch and I knew [Milner] would be comfortable".[80] In England's second match against Spain, Milner had a penalty well saved by Sergio Asenjo, and scored England's second goal in a 2–0 win.[81] England faced the hosts Sweden in the semi-finals. In the first minute of the match, Milner delivered a corner the was headed in by Martin Cranie to give England the lead. Another corner from Milner would set up England's third goal, an own goal by Mattias Bjärsmyr. After the match ended in a 3–3 draw, it went to a penalty shootout. Milner was the only England player to miss in the shootout after he slipped just before kicking the ball, causing it to sail over the crossbar. England won the shootout 5–4 to advance to the final for the first time in 25 years.[82] England lost the final to Germany 4–0 and Milner said after the match that the team was "hurting" and that the way in which the team lost was "not good enough".[83] The final was his last game for the under 21 side.

Senior team

In August 2009, Milner made his debut for the full England team, when he came on as a substitute in a friendly match against the Netherlands for the final 23 minutes. After outrunning defender John Heitinga, he provided a low cross into the six yard box, from which striker Jermain Defoe scored from close range to make the score 2–2. He would also provide another high cross for Defoe later in the match, which he headed over the bar. The match ended in a 2–2 draw.[84] He played twice more for England the following month against Slovenia in another friendly and made his competitive debut four days later in a World Cup qualifer against Croatia, where he played the final nine minutes. England won the latter match 5–1 to secure qualification for the 2010 World Cup. On 2 June 2010 Milner was named in the final 23 man squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa. He was selected in the starting eleven for England's first match of the tournament against the USA, however he was substituted after 30 minutes.[85] In England's third match against Slovenia, he setup the only goal of the match with a cross for Jermain Defoe.[86]

Style of play

Milner is regarded as being a tenacious footballer.[7][31][87] As a result, his main role on the team is as a wide midfielder who creates scoring opportunities, as well as taking the ball past defenders. He could be deemed a traditional English winger. While Milner does not score many goals, he does have a good record at providing assists.[88] Nolberto Solano, a former teammate, said that because of his ability, Milner would "become an important team player".[89] After his move to Newcastle he began playing more as a winger.[22] He has been described as "comfortable on either wing".[88] He has also been used occasionally as a central midfielder and as an emergency right-back, generally during an injury crisis.

Milner has the ability to pass accurately and shoot from a great distance from goal.[88] As a result, he usually goes forward for set pieces and is often a candidate to take corners and free kicks.[90] Critical opinion is divided as to Milner's crossing ability. While some commentators have been critical of his ability in this area, other journalists have said that Milner can produce accurate crosses.[88][91][92]

All my life I've wanted to do what I'm doing now. Now I'm here, and enjoying every minute of it. You've got to make a few sacrifices, but I don't mind that.

–James Milner[7]

Milner, in his time at the club, was described on the Newcastle United official website as "a good reader of the game".[93] One quality that is praised by commentators is Milner's awareness of players around him. This awareness allows him to pass the ball from a range of positions to teammates making forward runs, as well as giving him the confidence to take on defenders.[90] His awareness and willingness to pass have been called mature for a player of his age.[14]

Milner has expressed a willingness to play as much as possible[94] and feels that Wayne Rooney's move to Manchester United and success as a player has taken a lot of pressure off his own career, commenting, "I have been able to concentrate on football and ignore everything else".[25] During his career, Milner has been booked 15 times, but has never been sent off.[95]

Despite being a winger by trade, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill stated in November 2009 that he thought Milner's versatility could lead to him becoming an accomplished central midfielder at some point in his career. Milner played in a number of different positions for Aston Villa, including both wings, in central midfield and even as a right back.[citation needed] In Winter 2009, following the return to action of midfielder Stewart Downing, Milner moved in to the centre of Villa's midfield to make room for Downing on the left wing. Milner, along with Downing, Petrov and Young were all praised by team mate Emile Heskey for their ability in the new-look midfield.[citation needed]

Honours

Club

Aston Villa

League Cup Runner-Up: 2009–10

International

England

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Runner-Up: 2009

Individual

PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2009-10[96]

PFA Premier League Team of the Year (1): 2009–10[97]