Hurzeler: Welbeck and Milner play crucial roles

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Head coach on the open relationship he has with two of his most senior players.

2024-08-25T22:00+01:00

James Milner tries to win the ball against Harry Maguire in Saturday's win over Manchester United, with Danny Welbeck in close support. Photo: Paul Hazlewood

Fabian Hurzeler has saluted two of his most experienced players for the role they are playing on and off the pitch.

Danny Welbeck made it two goals from two games when he scored in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Manchester United while James Milner has started both games in the heart of midfield. Welbeck’s strike against his former club was also his 100th club goal.

Hurzeler said, “Danny is a role model and I can learn also from him because in the end he went through experience I never made as a player.

Late drama on Fabian Hurzeler's first game at the Amex in the Premier League.

“That’s why I have some talks with him. I share my opinion, he shares his opinion. He's a great teammate and he he's like a connector trying to help everyone. He pays a lot of attention [to what happens] in the locker room, and for me it is enjoyable to work with him and also to have good conversations with him.

“With James, from the first second I recognised that he's a leader. And from the first second I recognised why he had this successful career. Because he's a role model in preparing himself for training and doing good regeneration. He's very demanding and he’s very honest. I think you see a lot of dishonesty at times in football.

“He helps the team by his honesty and by showing his professionalism and by giving every training session one hundred percent. It's the same as it is with Danny, I try to use Milly’s knowledge.

“I try to have open discussions with him about different situations in the team. In the end they also know that I make the decisions and that's why there's a very open, transparent relationship.”