Originally Posted by
TheSloth:
“Isn't 5 league goals and 7 assists for a supposedly defensive midfield player evidence enough? That compares relatively favourably with a certain forward over almost the same number of league games who is currently dominating the discussions on here right now... 
His versatility (thought he put in a great fullback shift at Old Trafford the other week) is also valuable to have in the squad.
There's a perception of Milner because of the role he has been typically deployed in - especially for England.
If you really can't see what he's done to deserve a place in the squad, you need to pay more attention.”
I don't really want to pay more attention to Liverpool then is absolutely necessary for obvious reasons!
Milner to me is one of those hardworking players, who does enough to not warrant people having a go at him, but not enough to really be considered an outstanding player, if that makes sense.
His versatility is good (especially at a tournament where you might need a player to fill in during a match), but I think he is very much a case of "Jack of all trades, master of none", does he really have a position that he has nailed down, and you can say is his best?
He can play DM, fullback, or even as a winger, but without really being outstanding at any of them.
He also doesn't exactly come across as captaincy material, I know that it is just a friendly, so it is not all that important in the long run of things, but does he really inspire players to go that extra mile, or put in that bit more effort?
He sure doesn't come across like that to me.
Of course I don't see him every week, and all of these things are from just watching him when I do, and if he is a better player then I have given him credit for here, then fair enough, but he has had a fair bit of time since his Leeds days to convince me, one way or the other on him, and so far these are my opinions on him.