Interviews

Milner: Having local lad Lewis leading is brilliant for Albion

Experienced midfielder has been impressed by the leadership in the Albion squad

By Charlie Hanson • 01 June 2024

By Paul Hazlewood
Lewis Dunk and James Milner.

James Milner believes it’s special for Albion to have Brightonian Lewis Dunk captaining the club.

The skipper has made over 400 appearances for us, taking over the armband when Bruno Saltor called time on his playing career.

“I think it's important to have leaders right through the dressing room for sure,” Milner said. “Obviously, you've got the captain and it's fantastic how long Dunky's been here. He knows the club inside out.

“That's great for the fans as well. I think it's so important to have someone who the fans see as one of their own amongst all these other talents who are coming in from all over the world.

“It's amazing to have, but you always want those local boys to do well. It's great that we're led by a player like him – but it's important he has that support too.

“We need more than one captain out there in terms of being vocal, but every  leader within the squad is going to be different.

“How they put messages across, how they lead, whether it's by example, whether it's by shouting, encouraging or giving out a rocket here and there.

By James Boardman
Adam Lallana and James Milner were a key part of the leadership group with Albion during the 2023/24 season.

“We've definitely got a good group of players who have different characteristics, and different levels of patience.

"And the atmosphere is such that people will say what they think. If someone needs pulling out on something or suggesting ‘can you do this next time?’

“People listen and that's super important. That's why it's been so easy to settle in this season because the atmosphere is fantastic and you can say exactly what you think and everyone will take it in the right way, knowing that you're trying to help."

Listen to James's full interview on the Official Brighton & Hove Albion Podcast here.