James Milner could quit England as he urges new boss Sam Allardyce to look to the future
JAMES MILNER is mulling over retiring from the international scene – as he is worried he is stealing a spot from one of a pool of talented youngsters.
The versatile Liverpool midfielder, 30, was part of the hugely underwhelming England side who crashed out to Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016.
And now he wants Sam Allardyce’s England to look to the future – even if that means missing out himself.
He said: “Over the last couple of years with the England team I have not really played too much.
“With the good young players we have coming through, it is pointless me taking up a spot just because I am reliable.
“I am fortunate to have been involved in international football since I was 17 or 18 without stopping.
“I was with the Under 21s and went through so I have played more than 100 games.
“I’ve been to four tournaments but if a younger guy had come in and maybe done the same job at Euro 2016, he would have taken a lot more from it than I did.”
Milner has been capped 61 times during his long career, scoring one goal, since his debut against the Netherlands in 2009.