Milner has always looked good when he's played in substandard sides.
From WIKI
YearsClubApp (Gls)*2002–2004
2003
2004–
2005–2006
Leeds United
→
Swindon Town (loan)
Newcastle United
→
Aston Villa (loan)48 (5)
06 (2)
92 (6)
27 (1)
Milner began his career at Leeds United by joining the club's academy in 1996; he was later taken on as a trainee. Milner made his inaugural appearance for the first team in 2002, aged only 16, and gained prominence as the youngest player to score in the
Premier League.
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.
[3] 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.
[7] 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.
[13][14] 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".
[3] Nonetheless, financial problems eventually forced Leeds to sell Milner to
Newcastle United for an initial price of £3,600,000.
[15] 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"
[3] and in July 2004, he agreed a five-year deal with Newcastle.
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".
[20] He did however confirm that he was frustrated at not being used as a starter for most of the season.
[21] Despite playing less at club level, Milner scored his first goal for the England Under-21 side during the
2004–05 season. The goal came in a qualification game for the
2007 European Under-21 Championship, against
Wales.
Milner was generally seen as a positive signing in a season that was disappointing for Villa.
[28] 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.
[29] 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.
[30] He even pulled out of signing
Robert Huth so that he would have the funds to sign Milner permanently if the opportunity arose.
[31] 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.
[32] 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.
[33] In June, it became even less likely when Villa rejected an offer of Milner as part of a trade for
Gareth Barry.
[34] 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.
Milner is regarded as being a quick footballer.
[4][27][60] 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. While Milner does not score many goals, he does have a good record at providing
assists.
[61] Nolberto Solano, a former teammate, said that because of his speed, Milner would "become an important team player".
[62] After his move to Newcastle he began playing more as a winger.
[17] He has since been described as "comfortable on either wing".
[61]
Milner has the ability to pass accurately and shoot from a great distance from goal.
[61] As a result, he usually goes forward for
set pieces and is often a candidate to take
corners and
free kicks.
[63] 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.
From Mcbain
Id sign him in a heartbeat. He is Exactly the kind of pacey, intelligent, young yet highly experienced player we need. Theres no ego in sight with this kid. He's be another Moyes mastermove.
, ive wanted him here for a while, hopefully it will happen
