The 33-year-old was playing in the Premier League for Leeds United at the age of 16, and he made 54 appearances for the Whites before joining Newcastle United.
A spell with Aston Villa followed, but Milner started picking up trophies when he moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2010.
He won two Premier League titles with the Citizens before joining Liverpool, where he has racked up another 193 appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder helped the Reds win the Champions League last season, whilst he has featured in all but three of Liverpool’s 12 Premier League games this term.
On just one occasion has Milner completed the 90 minutes of a league match during the 2019/20 campaign, but there is no question that he is still an important figure.
The former England international appeared for the final 29 minutes against Man City on Sunday afternoon, where Jurgen Klopp’s recorded a 3-1 win to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
But after Milner posted to the Twitter masses after the game, many Liverpool fans were keen to pay tribute to a player who has 525 Premier League appearances to his name.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to a fresh report coming from the Catalan outlet, Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona had the chance to sign the current 18-year-old Arsenal prodigy, Gabriel Martinelli, but they opted against it. This might come back to bite them.
What’s the word, then?
The young talent signed for Arsenal back in the summer and has since then exploded onto the scene.
But the interesting part is that Barcelona had the chance to tie him down even before the Gunners got their hands on him.
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Mundo Deportivo revealed that the Catalan giants even had the 18-year-old prodigy at their own facilities and Martinelli played some football with their Juvenil A and Juvenil B squads respectively.
But after that one trial, the Blaugrana deemed him not good enough and decided not to proceed with his signing.
And seeing Martinelli now, that huge decision just might come back to bite them in the not so distant future.
“One of the greatest talents of this century”
Martinelli has recently literally exploded onto the scene.
The youngster has played a total of nine games for Arsenal and has already managed to bag seven goals and one assist in the process.
Not to mention that two of those goals were actually against current European champions, Liverpool, in the EFL Cup and that game also prompted Jurgen Klopp to label him “a talent of the century”.
If he can continue developing like this in the future, the sky could be the limit and Barcelona might be banging their heads against the wall if and when that actually happens.
Not many players are deemed worthy of donning the Blaugrana kit and many youngsters surely get discarded quite often but Martinelli just might be one of those that got away for the Catalans.
Their poor judgement could mean they’re missing out on a truly remarkable talent, if Klopp’s words are anything to go by.
We’ll have to wait and see what ends up happening.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Amid the growing fall-out of Granit Xhaka’s now infamous clash with the Arsenal supporters at the Emirates a few weeks ago, one of the big talking points has been whether the Switzerland international now has a long-term future at the club.
Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the north London side are prepared to let the ex-club captain go, with a return to former side Borussia Monchengladbach even being mooted. As such, the Gunners have been linked with a whole host of midfielders themselves as they look to enter life without Xhaka, and one man who has supposedly been on their radar, is RB Salzburg starlet Dominik Szoboszlai.
According to Football Insider, the Gunners had scouts to take a look at Szoboszlai while the 19-year-old was in action for Hungary against Wales on Tuesday night. If the north Londoners thought they would witness the starlet go on to stamp his mark on a pivotal game for both countries – automatic qualification to EURO 2020 was on offer – then they were sadly proven wrong.
The teenager struggled greatly in the heat of the occasion, failing to get involved in the build-up play for Hungary and not being able to control the game in his side’s favour. As per Sofascore, his 6.1 match rating was the second-worst of any player to have featured for the full 90 minutes, and when looking at his underlying numbers during the game, it is easy to see why.
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Playing in a number ten role, Szoboszlai could muster just 40 touches and 18 successful passes – a staggeringly low amount considering Hungary averaged 59% possession. Despite trailing as early as the 15th minute courtesy of a goal from former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey, the prodigy couldn’t muster any shots on target in the entire contest.
Indeed, whenever he did get on the ball, he looked all at sea, losing possession on 15 separate occasions. Ramsey meanwhile struck twice to give Wales the all-important win, and there no doubt would have been a sense of regret at losing the now Juventus man in the summer. If Szoboszlai thought this was his audition to eventually be the Welshman’s heir at the Emirates, then he failed miserably.
Liverpool could receive £40m for two loanees this summer, according to The Athletic’s Reds correspondent James Pearce.
What’s the word?
Both Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson are currently plying their trades away from the club, at Hertha Berlin and AFC Bournemouth respectively.
Both players are set to return to Anfield at the end of the season, but Pearce expects that they will be sold, and has tipped the club to bank a significant amount of cash from their departures.
Speaking in a Q&A, he said: “It’s difficult to see where Wilson would fit in. As for Grujic, I’ve always liked him as a player. He’s strong, he’s powerful and he’s dynamic. He’s also a very popular figure at Melwood.
“However, like Wilson, he wants to be somewhere where he’s going to play regularly. He’s not a kid anymore, he’s nearly 24.
“If LFC get a decent offer I can see them selling Grujic this summer. LFC could generate £40m, I reckon, from selling Wilson and Grujic.”
Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…
Take the money
Both Wilson and Grujic could well have had futures at Liverpool when one considers that they have made significant impacts while out on loan.
Wilson, for a start, has played 27 times for Bournemouth, scoring six goals and registering two assists, while his Serbian counterpart has played 45 times for Hertha.
This summer, though, their stocks will be as high as they have ever been.
Receiving £20m each would be good business, and add to the transfer pot that will be available for sporting director Michael Edwards.
Of course, the club have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, with a £51m fee floated.
Moving Wilson and Grujic on would mean that £40m can be put towards the potential signing of the Germany international.
For that reason alone, selling the pair should become a priority.
Meanwhile, what does the future hold for Sadio Mane?
Wolves youngster Pedro Neto has hailed his manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s coaching style and said that it is “very easy” to play under him.
In an interview with the club’s official website, the 20-year-old Portuguese attacker lauded his fellow countryman for adopting an encouraging mindset and filling him with confidence.
Neto told wolves.co.uk: “It is easy to play for him because he trusts in his players, he’s a very good manager, he encourages the players to give all that they have, and it’s been easy to play for him. I think that from outside you can see a little bit like what he is, but from inside you can see that he’s an amazing coach because the work that the team has been doing is almost the mirror of what he is.
“A lot of what I have been doing is from my work, but it’s also from the coaching that he gives me. When I arrived here, I don’t think a lot of people expected me to be doing what I am doing and this is of course about my work, but it’s a lot about the coaching and confidence he has given me.”
Neto certainly seems to have benefitted from earning Nuno’s trust at Molineux, with the youngster enjoying a five-game succession of starts in the Premier League over the winter after having to rely almost solely on substitute appearances in the first half of the season. He has repaid his manager’s faith with four goals and four assists in all competitions, including the strike that instigated the comeback from 0-2 down to beat Southampton 3-2 in January.
Indeed, the 20-year-old is very unfortunate not to have a couple of more goals to his name, having suffered from very harsh VAR calls to disallow an equaliser away to Liverpool in December and what would have been the opener away to Manchester United in the FA Cup, both of which Wolves lost 1-0.
Neto’s comment about the players giving “all they have” for their manager is reflected in how well they had been performing in the latter part of the season despite a marathon campaign which began in late July and has encompassed 48 matches in all competitions. Far from struggling to repeat last season’s seventh-place heroics, Wolves currently lie sixth in the Premier League and have made it to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Prior to the coronavirus-enforced stoppage of the season, they had lost only two of 10 games – a narrow defeat to runaway league leaders Liverpool and the second leg of their Europa League clash with Espanyol into which they took a 4-0 lead. Their other results suggest that, despite their lengthy campaign, the players were continuing to deliver committed performances under Nuno.
Results would back Neto’s claim that Nuno continues to get the best out of his players and the way in which the youngster has settled into his first season at the club at such a tender age is a very positive reflection on the manager’s confidence-building coaching style.
Whenever football is safe to resume, hopefully both player and manager can pick up where they left off and further enhance what already seems a very healthy relationship.
Wolves fans, what did you make of Neto’s praise of Nuno? Comment below with your views!
Leeds United fans have reacted to predictions made by reputable journalist Beren Cross regarding their squad next season should they gain promotion to the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are on the cusp of gaining promotion to England’s top flight, sitting top of the Championship standings ahead of West Bromwich Albion.
The Whites have been in excellent form, for the most part, this season and are looking to gain automatic promotion after failing to gain promotion via the play-off route last term. Looking ahead to next season, Leeds United Live writer Beren Cross discussed Bielsa’s current squad, and predicted summer new summer arrivals.
A few names appeared on the list that have been in and out of the news this term so far, including Ben White, who is currently on loan from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.
Southampton striker Che Adams (linked in January) was also in the squad with Cross preferring the inconsistent Premier League striker to the likes of Ollie Watkins and Karlan Grant. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the squad was the inclusion of Ben Davies of Preston North End, given he’s not been linked with a move.
With the 24-year-old’s inclusion, Leeds fans were prompted to react via social media platform Twitter, and below are just some of those…
Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Leeds discussion going on in the Vital Leeds Forum! Click here to get involved!
Lots of Newcastle United fans have slammed Professor Simon Chadwick’s revelation that a takeover of French club Olympique de Marseille is being pondered by Saudi Arabia.
This follows rumours that it is a Saudi prince’s will to buy Marseille which would supposedly raise less controversy than the buyout of the Tyneside club.
Members of the Toon faithful would perhaps be relieved that it is not Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Saudi crown prince looking to take over at St. James’ Park.
The bid has been backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), as the Saudi-led consortium, spearheaded by businesswoman Amanda Staveley, look to end Mike Ashley’s reign of 13 years in the North East.
The Reuben brothers are also set to become part-owners of the Magpies if a deal goes through.
Nevertheless, they may not be the only club owned by Saudis if this attempted buy of Marseille is completed.
These NUFC supporters were slamming Chadwick’s claim:
Geordies, do you think this would affect the takeover? Comment below!
Liverpool supporters have been going wild on Twitter this week after The Athletic’s James Pearce relayed huge news from the Premier League.
On Monday it was announced that teams in the top-flight would resume training ahead of a potential return to action. Players will have to train in small groups and keep to social distance guidelines. Contact training is still not permitted whilst those involved will be tested twice per week.
This comes as major delight to many at Anfield as it means that the idea of a ‘null and void’ season is put on the backburner – something they don’t want to see given they are on the verge of landing their first-ever Premier League trophy.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are some 25 points clear of second-placed Manchester City having lost just one game all season with only nine matches remaining.
Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…
Therefore, it’s easy to see why many would like to see the season back underway.
Here’s how fans have been reacting to the news…
AND in other news, Liverpool fans tip bit-part STAR for big things next season…
Sorry to tease you Blues about signing players when your club can’t until the summer 2020 transfer window.
But the signings from down the years at Stamford Bridge we’re going to be looking at in this list are not the Lampards, the Drogbas or the Hazards, far from it.
I bet the West Londoners wished they did have a transfer ban when they tried to acquire these ill-fated stars…
Tiemoue Bakayoko
We start with one of the more recent ones in Tiemoue Bakayoko, someone who technically still plies his trade at Stamford Bridge but we’re unlikely ever to see in blue again.
The fact that Antonio Conte’s Chelsea forked out a remarkable £40m-ish on the sub-standard midfielder will send shivers down the spine of anyone in west London and unless the club can sell up, they’re still lumbered with him until 2022.
Jiri Jarosik
From one pricy Pensioners flop to another and Jiri Jarosik, a name synonymous in Blues folklore as one of the worst to ever represent them.
The centre-back signed from CSKA Moscow in 2005 and lasted no more than half-a-season before a loan to Birmingham City and his subsequent sale to Celtic, enough time for the Chelsea faithful to very much make up their minds on him.
Asier Del Horno
Football – Birmingham City v Chelsea FA Barclays Premiership – St Andrews – 1/4/06 Birmingham’s Jermaine Pennant and Chelsea’s Asier Del Horno Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Tony O’Brien Livepic NO ONLINE/INTERNET USE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE +44 207 298 1656.
Well, Asier Del Herono’s name meant that one way or another he was always going to be laughed at in English football but he would have hoped the sniggers wouldn’t have also been caused by his performances.
The overwhelming memory most were left with from the defender’s only campaign at the Bridge was not his shoddy showings, rather his horrendous UEFA Champions League tackle on a young Lionel Messi – simply shocking.
Juan Sebastian Veron
Football – UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg – AS Monaco v Chelsea – Stade Louis II – 20/4/04 Juan Sebastian Veron – Chelsea looks dejected after Monaco’s third goal is scored Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex Morton
Juan Sebastian Veron, what a player, Manchester United, Internazionale, Lazio, Argentina, countless trophies and memorable moments – so what’s he doing on this list?
That’s a good question.
Having joined for around £20m from Old Trafford in the summer of 2003, things never really clicked for the seminal central midfielder in west London as his successful spell in English football ended in an anti-climax and Veron went down as one of Chelsea’s worst ever signings.
Mateja Kezman
Much like Veron, Mateja Kezman represented some very prestigious clubs throughout his career, somehow.
The hit-and-miss poacher only spent the one term in England, making 41 appearances for a meagre return of just seven goals, streets away from what Jose Mourinho would have hoped for when he captured him from PSV – at least Kezman’s only real Chelsea highlight was a special one though, scoring the winner against Liverpool in the 2005 League Cup final.
Winston Bogarde
When a manager has no idea a player is signing due to the whole deal being conducted by the sporting director behind his back, it doesn’t have the makings of a great transfer. And so this proved with Winston Bogarde.
No one seemed to want the former Ajax, Barcelona and Holland centre-back at Chelsea, however, he was determined to stay until the end of his contract in 2004 to pick up his lofty £40k-per-week salary and who could blame him?
Bogarde only ever made 12 competitive appearances for the Blues, ridiculous.
Adrian Mutu
Football – FA Barclaycard Premiership – Chelsea v Everton – Stamford Bridge – 17/4/04 Chelsea’s Adrian Mutu after a missed chance Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Richard Heathcote
Adrian Mutu’s Chelsea tale is a sad one. It could have been one of greatness if the Romanian hadn’t let him substance abuse issues ruin it by being sacked for his addiction to cocaine.
Mutu had a great record on the pitch in west London, registering ten goals and nine assists in just over a season before the cocaine story came out and the world came crashing down on him.
The reason the talented centre-forward makes the is the £15m the Blues threw away on him.
Marko Marin
There would be no such drama in the short Stamford Bridge stay of another failed attacker, ex-Germany prodigy Marko Marin.
The Pensioners thought they were getting something special when Werder Bremen finally gave up their budding 16-time German international in 2012 though he would only ever join the long list of Blues youngsters to be prolifically sent out on loan before exiting at the end of their contracts.
Franco Di Santo
Argentine frontman Franco Di Santo was once nicknamed the “new Maradona” as well as the “little Crespo,” the fact that he’s a Wigan Athletic cult hero probably explains how far he got in living up to those tags.
After a switch from hometown club Audax Italiano, the ex-Argentina international barely made any impact at all in west London and swapped Stamford Bridge for the DW Stadium in 2010 with zero strikes to his name.
Andriy Shevchenko
In contrast to Di Santo, Chelsea supporters certainly haven’t forgotten the name Andriy Shevchenko and they’re never likely to however much they might have wanted to.
The world football icon is another who enjoyed a near-perfect career apart from the one blemish on his CV, the spell with the Blues.
Just 77 matches and 22 goals will never endear yourself at a club when they’ve broken all kinds of records to bring you in for £30m, a whopping sum back then – if only he could have been like the man he’s pictured with above.
With summer approaching and players’ contracts expiring across the country, many clubs are looking to see if they can add some quality to their teams for free, and Sheffield United are interested in a midfielder who is seeking a new club.
There have been recent transfer reports suggesting that the Blades are interested in Hartlepool United striker Josh Hawkes, via TEAMtalk. Various other clubs are also keeping tabs on the player, including fellow Premier League side Burnley, as well as Hull and Barnsley in the Championship.
Sheffield United’s hopes of landing him could have been boosted as Yorkshire Live revealed that Hawkes will leave National League side Hartlepool United shortly when his contract expires. This is due to the fact that the midfielder has not agreed a new deal with Pools and will soon become a free agent.
The midfielder is only 21 and, even though he has been playing in non-league football, the fact that Premier League and Championship clubs are interested in Hawkes highlight the scale of his potential.
Clubs in the Premier League and Championship has been able to find various gems from the National League before, including Jamie Vardy, Yannick Bolasie and Chris Smalling, via PlanetFootball.
You could argue that it is a risk, but as he is available on a free it is a very low risk that is worth taking for Chris Wilder and he could well be able to get the best out of the midfielder, just as he has done with a Blades squad who were tipped for relegation from the Premier League but sit in the top half with only seven games to go.
Blades fans, what are your thoughts on this transfer news? Comment below!