Micah Richards has waxed-lyrical about James Milner in his recent BBC Sport column, comparing him to PSG legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Perhaps it’s somewhat surprising to hear a pragmatic midfielder compared to a man renowned for scoring some of the most spectacular acrobatic goals the world has ever seen, but Richards said that the pair are similar.
Don’t worry, Milner isn’t going to start attempting bicycle kicks from 40 yards anytime soon, Richards was instead making a point about the pair’s incredible longevity.
“Whenever I’m asked about the level of professionalism every player should aspire to, I use him as the example. He doesn’t drink alcohol and he is probably fitter now than I was in my prime,”
“There’s no sign of him stopping, either. He left City for Liverpool in 2015 for more game time, and he still has that hunger.
“Like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he is one of those players who can just keep on going. I honestly think Milner could still be playing in the Premier League aged 40, if he wants to.”
If Milner can stay at this level for another five years in the same way Ibrahimovic has then that will be some feat.
Richards is right though, Milner doesn’t look like slowing down at all, he’s still looking every bit a Premier League player whenever he appears for the Reds, and he still bosses the pre-season fitness tests, even at his age.
Trent Alexander-Arnold recently named him as the fittest player at the club, and we can’t say we’re shocked by that claim.
When all is said and done, Milner will certainly go down as a Premier League great, but it doesn’t seem as though he will be hanging up his boots anytime soon.
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