The Big Interview: James Milner is dreaming of emulating hero Beckham

By John Cross in Mirror Football Blog

Published 23:00 11/11/09

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Interview by John Cross

James Milner grew up dreaming of being David Beckham at the World Cup - now he could nick his hero’s place next summer.

Aston Villa winger Milner was just 12 when he watched on TV as Beckham made his mark on the world stage at France 98.

But Milner, now 23, is one of the main threats to Beckham’s place in Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa next summer.

England boss Capello is blessed with strength in depth on both flanks and Milner is set to get his chance to impress against Brazil in Saturday’s prestige friendly in Qatar.

Former England captain Beckham, 34, misses out because he is involved in LA Galaxy’s MLS play-off campaign, as do the injured trio of Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and Steven Gerrard.

That has opened the door for versatile Milner - who can operate on either flank - and he knows that if he forces his way into the World Cup squad then it could be at the expense of his boyhood hero.

Milner, with all his schoolboy enthusiasm rushing back, said: “Yeah, yeah, he was definitely one of my heroes.

“He’s a top player so to be playing with him now is great. Growing up watching him as well... it’s good to be playing with him.

“When you watch a World Cup, you hope one day you will be playing in a World Cup finals.

“I watched France 98. Michael Owen came through and scored that goal [against Argentina], and you hope you can do that at some stage. It’s something to aim for. You work hard to try and make that happen.”

Former Real Madrid star Beckham is the elder statesman of the England squad and Capello wants him in his World Cup party for his experience and quality.

But even Beckham may be forgiven for admitting that Milner’s schoolboy memories of watching him at France 98 makes him feel really old.

Beckham, just ten short of Peter Shilton’s 125 cap record, is on course to be the first England player to be picked for four World Cup finals since Sir Bobby Charlton.

But he is likely to be used from the bench while Milner’s versatility perhaps gives him an advantage over some of his rivals in what is the fiercest battle for places.

Milner can play on either flank, or in central midfield, but Capello has plenty of options, including Beckham, fit-again Joe Cole, Lennon, Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is set to start on the right against Brazil.

But Milner is likely to fill in for the injured Gerrard on the left of midfield and get his chance to shine as Capello will start thinking about culling his list of potentials as he finalises his 23 man squad for South Africa.

That is why it is a big weekend for Milner, in particular, to show what he can do on the left as Beckham and two from Lennon, Walcott and Wright-Phillips are likely to make the final cut on the right.

Milner said: “There’s a lot of competition for places, a lot of quality players, so if you get the chance you have to take it and prove that you should be here and that you should be involved.

“I got a chance in the Holland game in August and I just wanted to show that I was ready to take the chance. Hopefully I can do that again, keep working hard and prove that I should be in the squad.

“He (Capello) has proved that he picks players on merit and form. We want to take the best possible squad to the World Cup.

“It’s a good thing the manager hopefully will have difficult decisions to make. If he knows his squad already it is too easy for him and not a good thing.

“The more pressure you can put on the manager to make big decisions, the better it is for England.”

“He’s the only England manager I’ve worked under, but you want everyone to have a level playing field and an equal chance to play.”

Milner says his versatility may help his cause - but he admits he wishes he was quicker, like Walcott or Lennon.

He added: “Versatility might help. There’s a lot of competition for places, a lot of quality players, vying for position and every little thing that helps you is a good thing. There’s a lot of quality in every position.

“Growing up, I always seemed to play on the right or in central midfield, and up front at Leeds. I played a few positions growing up, I suppose. It should make you a better and more rounded player and help you understand the game a bit better.

“Everybody wishes they could be faster. It is a good asset to have in your game. I’m sure even the Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott would want to be quicker.

“But you don’t want to have too many players of the same type. It’s pointless having four wingers who play in exactly the same way. It is not a good thing.

“You want to have wingers who play different styles and if one is not working then another can come in and you can try to play a different way. It is a good thing that we have a good mixture of attacking options and we can play a different way.”