This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
There’s nostalgia, there’s nostalgia overload and then there’s what Darren Bent is suggesting.
Speaking to Football Insider, Bent talked about how great it would be if none other than James Milner returned to Elland Road to round off his career:
What’s he said?
James Milner made 50 appearances for Leeds United in his younger days and even briefly held the record for youngest goalscorer in the Premier League as a member of the Whites.
However, he was eventually sold to Newcastle United in the great Leeds ‘fire-sale’ in the summer of 2004.
Speaking about a possible return for the Liverpool man, he said:
“When you’ve got somebody who’s had a decorated career like he has, there’s only one place he can return. He was Leeds’ youngest every goalscorer, they love him down there. He doesn’t need the money, the money’s out of it, he’s won all the trophies – I almost said bar the Champions League but he’s won that, he’s won everything there is to win.
“It is fitting for him to go back there and play where it all started and finish his career there. I’m sure Bielsa would welcome him with open arms. That experience, he keeps himself in great nick, it wouldn’t surprise me if he did return there.”
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
The 33-year-old is out of contract with Liverpool at the end of the season, and although there are reportedly discussions underway to get that contract renewed, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is guaranteed to stay.
After all, it’s been revealed recently that a return could well be on the cards at some point.
It certainly wouldn’t be the first instance of someone coming back for ‘one last hurrah’ with their home-town team, or a team they played for earlier in their career.
Wayne Rooney eventually found his way back to Everton, Gianluigi Buffon moved back to Juventus this summer, and keeping it Yorkshire themed, Phil Jagielka returned to Sheffield United in the latest window.
Whether or not Milner will return to Leeds this upcoming summer, or even at all we’ll just have to wait and see. What does seem likely though, is that it would please those who turn out at Elland Road each week, something Bent alludes to in the fact they love him.
