James Milner is something of a Leeds legend.
Emerging from the academy in 2002, the boyhood Leeds fan made his Premier League debut at the age of just 16 and amassed 54 appearances for his beloved side in total before taking football by storm.
The man born in Leeds can currently boast 61 caps for England, three Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League title – among many other trophies – as well as 645 Premier League appearances. He is just nine away from surpassing the record set by Gareth Barry (653).
As James Milner nears his 40th birthday and the end of his playing career, we feel Leeds are on track to sign a new version of the Yorkshireman in Josh Mulligan.
Why Leeds United target Josh Mulligan is the new James Milner
It was the Daily Mail who claimed that Leeds have made an approach to sign Mulligan from Hibernian ahead of the winter transfer window.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke's plans.
The 23-year-old is also wanted by Nottingham Forest.
Mulligan can boast tremendous athleticism like Milner – he has even drawn comparisons to Gareth Bale as a result of his fitness – but his versatility makes him most like the Leeds academy graduate for us.
The pair are able to play almost anywhere on the field.
Mulligan is often entrusted to play either on the right of midfield or in the centre, making 55 appearances in the middle of the pitch and 70 on the right.
Josh Mulligan
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Midfield | 49 | 4 | 7 |
| Central Midfield | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| Right-Back | 19 | 2 | 4 |
| Defensive Midfield | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| Attacking Midfield | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Striker | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Left Midfield | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Centre-Back | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Right Wing | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Those are the two positions Milner has played in most throughout his career, with 266 appearances in central midfield and 189 on the right.
James Milner
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Midfield | 266 | 23 | 38 |
| Right Midfield | 189 | 19 | 47 |
| Left Midfield | 112 | 12 | 15 |
| Left-Back | 74 | 11 | 9 |
| Right-Back | 35 | 0 | 6 |
| Defensive Midfield | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Attacking Midfield | 12 | 0 | 2 |
| Left Winger | 9 | 2 | 2 |
| Right Winger | 8 | 0 | 3 |
| Second Striker | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Striker | 6 | 0 | 1 |
Not only that, but Mulligan can also slot into defence like Milner, playing as both a central defender and a right-back in his career so far.
With immense versatility and impressive fitness levels in his locker at the age of just 23, the Hibernian No.20 has all the tools to become a modern-day Milner for Leeds if a move to Yorkshire materialises.
Josh Mulligan can be an “athletic monster” for Leeds United
Milner is quite the athlete to still be playing Premier League football one month shy of his 40th birthday, and it sounds like Mulligan has the potential to match these levels.
Should Leeds follow Nottingham Forest’s path and risk a points deduction? 💸
“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
When urging Rangers to sign the Scotland U21 international back in January, Andy Halliday said: “Mulligan is an athletic monster, I am signing him.”
If Leeds can lure the Hibernian star to Yorkshire, it could prove to be a deal for the ages.
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