'One more year!' - Brighton star delivers passionate plea to fellow Premier League veteran
Danny Welbeck has pleaded with James Milner to stay for at least another season.
In starting at Brentford last weekend, 40-year-old Milner marked his 654th top flight appearance – surpassing Garth Barry’s all-time Premier League record.
Speaking to reporters after the record-breaking moments, the former Manchester City and Liverpool man was asked about his future.
Milner replied: “I’m pretty open at this moment in time, whether I will or whether I won’t [sign a new contract]. I’m not sure. We haven’t had any conversations, so obviously the club have to be interested as well.”
Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler has previously made it clear that he wants Milner to for next season.
And he is now alone in that wish.
Danny Welbeck, speaking to Sky Sports after scoring the winner over Nottingham Forest on Sunday (March 1) said: "It's a privilege [playing alongside Milner].
"Every single day to come in training and see Milly at his best. He is a home there and everything he does sets the standard and it rubs off on everyone around him. Not just the lads, the staff and everyone at the football club.
"Having him here, people do not understand the level of impact he has. He has not played as much this season but the last two performances has shown the levels he can produce on the pitch. Everyone is buzzing for him.
"One more year! One more year!"
Milner’s composure and organisation have steadied performances during a tense period.
He has proved any doubters wrong with two strong performances at the heart of the midfield.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win over Forest, Milner said: "We had good spells in the game. Second half, probably not our best free-flowing football but we managed the game pretty well, defended well.
"The run we have been on we have played a lot better and lost games so it's probably that know-how of winning games and finding a way to win which we've managed to do the last two games.
"Amazing effort for the boys to get it over the line, amazing defending and some great goals in there as well and really pleasing to get back-to-back victories."
The former Manchester City and Liverpool man said the messages he has received ‘means a lot’, describing them as ‘amazing tributes’.
He added: “That's pleasing. It's nice to show the effort you have put in and the impact you have made. But it was all about the team getting another victory today. The last two games have been so important to us."