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Yeah he's a "legacy" or "DNA" player. You have them around for more than just their contribution on the pitch - just set such an example of what it is to be a professional and if you can keep them affiliated with your Club via back-room stuff, coaching, whatever once they're retired, you absolutely do it.
You always want them there to pass it on. You want players like Trent, Gomez and Jones to be absorbing their principles, work ethic, drive and so on so they too pass it on in their later playing years.
Rafa was quite big on having multiple "Captain material" kind of players in a squad. It definitely helps. We have ex-players who will fondly remember the '04/'05-'08/'09 spell and their love of the Club and nostalgia for that time may very well come back to benefit us one day, be it they return to coach, or become managers that are more happy to sell to us than other sides, or whatever it may be.
Milner's definitely one I would love to see coaching or scouting. Alonso is one whose managerial career will be an intriguing watch when you look at the list of managers he has had etc.
Hes a man of steel, not sure I agree he couldn't do it as whenever deployed he rarely displays any waning due to age. Similar age to Modric and more mobile whilst obviously not at the technical level of Luka.
The other night for example he showed no signs of tiredness imo, even getting back to nick the ball off benzema in the 6 yard box with a massive interception.
Think his ball playing abilities are underrated tbh. Has a great assist record in the CL per minute, largely boosted by his 9 assists in 1 campaign playing at left back mostly.
Iirc setting a record for the amount of assists in a single CL campaign.
Robbo wasn't offering much in an attacking sense the other night and I stick by my suggestion/demand that Jota should have come on for Robbo. Milner at left back and a 4231 with Fab & Gini the 6's.
Top man in the preseason bleep tests (running) too
Of players to wear the lfc shirt only Suarez (26) and Sterling (18) have more assists than Milner (17).
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/rankings/players/assists/
Two points stand out against Madrid first minute he puts in a cruncher on Benzema.
Ten mins later he gets wiped out no complaints from him at all just gets up and gets on with it you know 99% of players would be rolling around for 5 minutes.
He is a top pro and imo a dying breed not many players around like him.
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