Milner: The longer we’re together, the better we will get

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The experienced midfielder hopes to be a guiding light for our youngsters.

Charlie Hanson

2025-08-30T06:00+01:00

James Milner has made 26 appearances for Albion. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

James Milner wants the experience in the Albion dressing room to rub off on the youngsters looking to make a name for themselves.

Tommy Watson (19), Diego Coppola (21), Babis Kostoulas (18) and Stefanos Tzimas (19) joined us over the summer, having made a combined 190 league appearances between them in their careers so far.

That figure is dwarfed by Milner’s 645 league appearances – with only six of those made outside of the Premier League – as well as the other experienced pros in the Albion squad.

“There's a great dressing room – Dunky is the captain, Steeley has been here a long time now, as well as Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster, people like that,” the 39-year-old said. “They create a great environment and help these boys hit the ground running, feel comfortable and help them mature as players.

Danny Welbeck, Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk are key players in the Albion dressing room, according to James Milner. 📷 by James Boardman.

“You’re teaching them how to be a professional footballer, how to live as a professional and the right things to do. They’re going to make mistakes on and off the field. You've got to have patience with them and try to be as open as much as you can.

“The mistakes I might have made or seen other players make - so many young players with ability maybe fall short because of this or that. If you can recognise that then hopefully it helps these guys progress their careers quicker.

"It’s not only the players in the dressing room, but the coaching staff who do a great job of teaching the youngsters the ‘Brighton way’, according to Milner, who faces former club Manchester City at the Amex on Sunday.

“The manager's been here a year and you can see from the way we play that everyone knows their jobs and how well coached we are, so it's disappointing to only have one point after two games.

Fabian Hurzeler is in his second season as Albion head coach. 📷 by James Boardman.

“But we have shown we can beat anyone on our day and it's a long season. The more games we play I'm sure the better we will get.

“The owner and the club's philosophy is very clever. They have a great model and then obviously it is down to the manager and the coaches to improve the talent they're given and teach them how to play the Brighton way."

Milner made his first start in a year in the 6-0 win over Oxford United on Wednesday, confirming our place in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Stefanos Tzimas celebrates with the travelling Albion supporters at Oxford United. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Tzimas scored two goals on his debut at the Kassam Stadium, something Milner believes will lift the whole squad.

"I was delighted for him. You could see how much it meant to him. It's always important for a new player, especially a striker, to come on and get a couple of goals lquickly. That will do him the world of good.

"You want competition for places and especially up top with goals coming from different people."