James Milner has been called up to the proper England squad and possibly taken away from Stuart Pearce for the U21 tournament in Sweden this summer.
He joins Heskey, Barry and Ashley Young in the squad and has been called up because Michael Carrick has hurt his foot. Carrick is a central midfielder and Milner has played most of the season on the right hand side of midfield for us. It would be interesting to see if Fabio Capello played Milner in the middle although I suspect he is just there to make up the numbers at the moment.
It will be nice for him but it's just news for now. In other news, we've got Graham Taylor getting quoted on the FIFA website this morning and it's about the money. Show me the money Randy.
Graham Taylor, June 1st 2009
I always say that you judge a manager after three years. That is the minimum. Martin is now going into the fourth year at Villa and it is now his team and his squad. After you have been in charge for three years, you will eventually be judged by your signings so I think this is an important summer for Martin in whom he brings into the club. When I have seen Villa play, and Martin has had his full team out, then they have been good enough.
When he has not had all of the first team available, through injuries, suspensions, whatever, the squad isn't strong enough. That is my view. He has operated with only 23 players this season. If he gets into the top four next season, he will want to operate with at least five more players.
I am not a great lover of rotation but there are a lot of games, a lot of travel, tiredness, the pace of the game etc. If Villa are going to be in the top four, they will need to use 28 players.
You know I like Graham Taylor but has he been on holiday and not heard what Randy Lerner has been saying last week? If Taylor is right, which I suspect he is when it comes to the numbers, then we're going to probably need to see eight new faces this summer and every day that passes now is another day when we need to see a signing as every day that passes now, is a day wasted.
The transfer window is open and quality doesn't come cheap. Should be an interesting few weeks.