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Leeds United employee: We have our own James Milner in the ranks after dressing room reveal
Noel Whelan has claimed Leeds United have their own James Milner among the ranks in the shape of Liam Cooper.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 30-year-old’s “leadership and experience” is vital, regardless of whether he plays.
Club captain Cooper was an unused substitute for Friday night’s dramatic win over Norwich City, having only just returned from injury.
As quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post on Thursday, after the game (17 March), Jesse Marsch revealed Cooper is now part of a seven-man “leadership council” in the dressing room.
Whelan compared Cooper’s influence, without playing, to that of Milner at Liverpool.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think the more leaders, the more voices you have between players who have played internationally, at the highest level in top competitions, that’s what you need at this stage in the season.
“Especially where we are you’ve got to have those strong characters. Those players that dig in and know how to get an extra 5 per cent out of others.
“Sometimes they’ll take control in the changing room with discussions and talks instead of a manager. They give the manager the help that he needs and right now, with the new manager, you need those sort of players.
“You need those voices, you need those leaders in the team. He’s been a long-serving player now, Liam Cooper.
“He steps into that mould of leadership. Very much like some of the Liverpool players, Henderson, these kind of players that know the club. They know the history, know the values of the club.
“Milner, I would say is the better example, he’s not playing right now.
“But you would never want to leave him from your changing room because of his voice.
“Because of that leadership and that experience that he does have as a football player.
“I think Liam Cooper definitely fits into that mould. He might not have started last night, but he has a big part to play behind the scenes.”
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