Sheperd: Milner Potentially My Best Signing

By Martyn Osmond
July 4 2004

Toon chairman Freddy Sheperd today stated his belief that new recruit James Milner is 'potentially the best deal of them all' in his time as United boss, and that Milner will follow Wayne Rooney into the England team in the not-too distant future.

Speaking in the Sunday Mirror, Sheperd said "This is one of the most exciting signings I have made since becoming Newcastle United chairman."

"We have brought some top youngsters such as Kieron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas and Hugo Viana to the club during my time, but this is potentially the best deal of them all. We have recruited a player who all the top judges rate as one of the best English prospects of his generation."

He then went on to discuss Milner's international prospects. "I don't want to make comparisons with Wayne Rooney because what he has achieved with England has been phenomenal," Sheperd said "But most experts agree that James Milner has the natural ability to follow Rooney into the England side. He is a few months younger, but has played in almost as many Premiership matches."

"And I'm convinced that playing at Newcastle with seasoned international stars such as Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Shay Given and his old Leeds colleagues Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer will develop his learning curve."