Capello: Milner "most improved" England player

[Lord Camomile]

At the risk of falling into the "someone says something" trap of reportage, I thought this article had a few interesting quotes from Capello.

I think most fans would agree that Milner has done well for England (and Villa) this season, but it was good to hear this from Capello:

“This year our most improved player is Milner. He played with us three or four times and he will be part of the squad.

A little surprised he's naming parts of the squad already, as he tends to play it fairly close, but I suppose most could guess at the majority of the squad now anyway.

The quotes about the 'keepers and Gerrard/Lampard are less interesting, hardly gonna say "pfft, fucked if I know what we're gonna do there..."

 

[aylee]

Milner's been superlative for Villa this season, though has shown signs of fatigue in recent weeks. This should help to perk him up a bit.

 

[kained&able]

Capello has in the past said he sees the entire team being built around milner in the future so this doesn't surprise me.

Rumour is that Terry is trying to sleep with milner as we speak.


dave

 

[Lord Camomile]

Milner's won PFA Young Player of the Year.

Milner, who seems certain to be included in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad, credited a change in position for his success this season.

"I've been moved into the middle and that suits me as it helps me influence the game a bit more," he said.

"Maybe sometimes wide right you want to influence the game but you just can't get yourself into it."

Will Capello play him in the middle though? Honestly can't see it being that likely.

 

[aylee]

Milner's won PFA Young Player of the Year.Will Capello play him in the middle though? Honestly can't see it being that likely.

Probably not. He'll be in the squad as a utility player who can play anywhere in midfield and also at full back if called upon. He's unlikely to start if England are at full strength, but he'll be on the bench.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

It's a bit sad really, the hegemony that fat fwank and stevie g have on the midfield imo, I reckon Milner could bring as much, if not more, to the party if he was given a proper go through the middle.

 

[mk12]

Yeah, "fat fwank" has only scored 23 goals this season. Still, drop him from the England team.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Probably not. He'll be in the squad as a utility player who can play anywhere in midfield and also at full back if called upon. He's unlikely to start if England are at full strength, but he'll be on the bench.

Yeah, that's certainly how I read it at the moment.

Still, time is on his side and I can see him moving into the middle once Lampard and Gerrard retire.

Partnered with...?

 

[Lord Camomile]

Yeah, "fat fwank" has only scored 23 goals this season. Still, drop him from the England team.

Much as I'm not a fan you can't argue with his record this season. There's always a bit of a question about reproducing that from in an England shirt though...

 

[mrkikiet]

Much as I'm not a fan you can't argue with his record this season. There's always a bit of a question about reproducing that from in an England shirt though...

principally because he plays a much more defensive role for England to allow Gerard to roam.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Rather than Gerrard being pushed out to the left to accommodate Lampard through the middle...?

 

[Discordia]

Gerrard is a rubbish central midfielder, so yes, it's Lampard who has to change roles.

 

[Corax]

He's lucky Bale's Welsh.

 

[Obnoxiousness]

I'm not expert of football, but I noticed that Milner seemed to raise England's game quite a bit when he was on the pitch.