Former England international Stuart Pearce has gushed over Liverpool midfielder James Milner, labelling him a ‘sensational professional’.
The 33-year-old has been performing at an immensely high level in the Premier League for about 17 years, and Pearce feels the Reds star is as good as it gets.
“He’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with,” he told talkSPORT [21/10; 09:50]. “Three words that I would [use to] describe him: resilient, professional and relentless. I think that sums Milly up.
“He covers 12, 13 kilometres a game, so I think somewhere in the midfield three [is his position]. But if you asked him to play anywhere, he’d go on the pitch and play anywhere for you. Sensational professional.”
OPINION
There’s no doubt that Milner has been the class of the Premier League for the last 15 years or so. The former England international has enjoyed incredible longevity, in terms of how long he’s been around, of course, but mainly in the level of sustained excellence he has enjoyed over almost 20 years of top flight football. It’s no surprise that Pearce, despite being in football for many years and working with any number of top players, has described Milner as one of the best he has worked with. He’s right about Milner being best in central midfield, too. Yes, he can come in and do an excellent job at both full back positions, out wide and pretty much wherever else his manager chooses to put him. But it’s the middle of the park where he continues to do his best work. Simply put, he is one of the finest English footballers of his generation.
