Editing James Milner (section)

==Style of play==
Milner is renowned for his versatility; across his career, Milner has played as a [[midfielder#winger|winger]], [[central midfielder]], [[defensive midfielder]], [[attacking midfielder]], and [[Full back (association football)|full back]], with Milner's preferred position being as a central midfielder.<ref name="skysports.com">{{cite web |title=James Milner: Virgil van Dijk, Vincent Kompany, versatility and more |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15117/11981629/james-milner-virgil-van-dijk-vincent-kompany-versatility-and-more |website=Sky Sports |access-date=13 May 2020 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511213133/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15117/11981629/james-milner-virgil-van-dijk-vincent-kompany-versatility-and-more |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/incredible-james-milner-masters-another-15525891 |title=Incredible James Milner masters another position and underlines why he's one of Klopp's favourites |first=Theo |last=Squires |publisher=LiverpoolEcho |date=9 December 2018 |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526122611/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/incredible-james-milner-masters-another-15525891 |url-status=live}}</ref> During his time at Leeds United and Newcastle United, Milner predominantly played as a winger.<ref name="skysports.com"/><ref name=position/> He has been described as "comfortable on either wing".<ref name=thedailytelegraph>{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Stewart |title=James Milner |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/players/6599044/James-Milner-England-midfielder-at-World-Cup-2010.html |date=10 May 2010 |access-date=19 January 2011 |location=London |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124121458/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/players/6599044/James-Milner-England-midfielder-at-World-Cup-2010.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref> He moved into central midfield during his time at Aston Villa.<ref name="skysports.com"/> Under [[Jürgen Klopp]], Milner spent all of the 2016–17 season playing at [[left back]] for Liverpool. Milner stated he did not enjoy playing as a left back but also said: "It's about whatever's best for the team and ultimately I just want to be out there playing games, contributing and helping this football club."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/265296-milner-what-i-have-learned-at-left-back |title=Milner: What I have learned at left-back |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=5 June 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204102538/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/265296-milner-what-i-have-learned-at-left-back |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/31/james-milner-didnt-like-liverpool-left-back-team-comes-first |title=James Milner: I didn't like it as Liverpool left-back but the team comes first |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-date=5 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003216/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/31/james-milner-didnt-like-liverpool-left-back-team-comes-first/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref> He also played in a holding role and in a [[Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box role]] on occasion for Liverpool in later seasons, drawing praise in the media for his dynamism, energy, work-rate, and consistent performances.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dynamic Milner more crucial than ever for Klopp |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/902142 |publisher=Premier League |last1=Clarke |first1=Adrian |date=8 November 2018 |access-date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927182201/https://www.premierleague.com/news/902142 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Milner is regarded as being a tenacious footballer.<ref name="birthday boy"/><ref name=team/><ref name=TheFA>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/06/TakeYourPick_28June05.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080706105929/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/06/TakeYourPick_28June05.htm |archive-date=6 July 2008 |title=Take your pick |publisher=The Football Association |date=28 June 2005 |access-date=12 September 2007}}</ref> [[Manuel Pellegrini]], who managed Milner at Manchester City, described him as the most complete English player in the modern game, praising his all round ability, commitment, performance level and versatility.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/16/manuel-pellegrini-manchester-city-barcelona-champions-league |title=Manuel Pellegrini: I've never felt that if I don't win I'm out at Manchester City |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=26 September 2016 |archive-date=9 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209110337/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/16/manuel-pellegrini-manchester-city-barcelona-champions-league |url-status=live}}</ref> Milner is often considered to be one of the most underrated players of his generation,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-50-best-liverpool-players-ever |title=Ranked! The 50 best Liverpool players ever |date=29 April 2022 |website=FourFourTwo |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223233918/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-50-best-liverpool-players-ever |url-status=live }}</ref> with ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' including him at number seven in their list of "The top 20 most under-rated footballers of all time" in 2015, describing him as "hard working, reliable and intelligent."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/01/29/the-top-20-most-under-rated-footballers-of-all-time/ |title=The top 20 most under-rated footballers of all time |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 April 2015 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312014216/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/01/29/the-top-20-most-under-rated-footballers-of-all-time/milner-celebrates-a-manchester-city-goal/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref>

Milner has the ability to pass accurately and shoot from a great distance from goal.<ref name=thedailytelegraph/> As a result, he usually goes forward for [[Set piece (football)|set pieces]] and is often a candidate to take [[Corner kick|corners]] and free kicks.<ref name=everything2>{{cite web |title=James Milner |website=everything2 |url=http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1409685 |date=2 January 2003 |access-date=12 September 2007 |archive-date=3 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503092713/http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1409685 |url-status=live}}</ref> While Milner does not score many goals, he does have a good record at providing [[Assist (association football)|assists]] - as of August 2024 he is 9th on the all-time Premier League assist chart.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist?co=1&se=-1&co=1&cl=-1&iso=-1&po=-1?se=-1 |title=Premier League Player Stats – Assists |publisher=Premier League|access-date=31 August 2024|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023614/https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist?co=1&se=-1&co=1&cl=-1&iso=-1&po=-1%3Fse%3D-1|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=thedailytelegraph/><ref>{{cite web |last=Gilder |first=Paul |url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/fixtures/tm_objectid=18037804&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=-name_page.html |title=Palermo 0, Newcastle United 1 |website=icnetwork |date=3 November 2006 |access-date=13 September 2007 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525213506/https://www.webcitation.org/66o2kl7JK?url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/fixtures/tm_objectid=18037804 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsquest.co.uk |title=We deserve all this flak, admits Given |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=28 December 2004 |access-date=13 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409100110/http://www.newsquest.co.uk/ |archive-date=9 April 2012}}</ref>

Milner, in his time at the club, was described on the Newcastle United official website as "a good reader of the game".<ref name=nufc>{{cite web |title=Profile |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10278~23079,00.html |access-date=29 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813221343/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10278~23079,00.html |archive-date=13 August 2007}}</ref> This awareness allows him to pass the ball from a range of positions to teammates making forward runs, as well as giving him the confidence to take on defenders.<ref name=everything2/>