'He will decide' - Brighton issue contract update for 'role model' player
Manchester City vs Brighton in the Premier League from the Etihad Stadium - Wednesday, 7.30pm
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says he want to work with James Milner next season.
The 40-year-old is out of contract this summer and it is understood that Milner and club are discussing the possibility of extending for another year.
Hurzeler added: “With him anything is possible. I really don’t know how he will decide (his future).
“It is his decision in the end, but I definitely can say if he decides to carry on I will do my best to keep on working with him, because it’s a big help for me, it’s a big help for the club and for his team-mates.”
Hurzeler also said Milner is a “role model for every person in the world” as the veteran midfielder prepares to become only the fifth outfield player to play in the Premier League at the age of 40.
Milner reached the milestone on Sunday and is set to follow Teddy Sheringham, Ryan Giggs, Kevin Phillips and Gordon Strachan by making his 650th Premier League appearance at his former club Manchester City on Wednesday.
“If you see him working you can understand how it is possible,” Seagulls boss Hurzeler said at his pre-match press conference. “It’s incredible what he’s capable of doing for his age.
“He’s a role model for every young player. He’s a role model for every person in the world because he’s working so hard, he’s so professional, he’s so disciplined.
“He’s thinking football and everything in what he’s doing is taking care of his body and his team-mates and being a real leader.”
Guardiola is the best
Brighton ended a six-game winless run by beating Burnley on Saturday and Hurzeler is unbeaten in three games against Pep Guardiola’s City, having won twice at home with one away draw.
He said: “In some phases we were a little bit lucky against City but overall I also want us to have the belief that we want to win, and how we stand as a club that we are not afraid to play the big teams.”
Full-back Mats Wieffer remains out with a toe injury and winger Yankuba Minteh is also likely to be missing again after suffering a dead leg against West Ham last week.
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