Premier League young player award nomineespublished at 15:23 15 May
15:23 15 May
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In addition to Premier League manager and player of the season, the shortlist for young player has also been announced.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer is in the running to win the award for the second year in a row.
The 23-year-old forward has 15 goals and eight assists in 35 appearances.
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and Liam Delap, who has scored 12 of Ipswich's 35 goals, are also on the eight-player shortlist.
The other nominees are Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Brighton), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), and William Saliba (Arsenal).
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'I don't sense excitement for a European push'published at 13:47 15 May
13:47 15 May
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Brighton's win over Wolves left them firmly in the race for European football with two games to spare.
Albion, along with Brentford and Bournemouth, and to a lesser extent Fulham, are all vying for eighth spot which might be enough.
Argus journalist Brian Owen, who ed BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor on the Albion Unlimited podcast said there is less enthusiasm than in recent seasons when pushing to secure European football.
"I don't sense a great deal of excitement about the possibility of making it to Europe," he said.
"I don't know if it's because their form has been up and down. I don't know if it's because they've been there before and it was Europa League and this could be Conference League or because the team that can snatch it up is Crystal Palace [if they win the FA Cup final].
"I don't know what is, but I don't sense excitement for a European push like there was two years ago, but we still think they're in for a chance."
Howell has 'great ability and a great attitude'published at 08:57 15 May
08:57 15 May
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Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood believes young teammate and cousin Harry Howell has a "lot more rewards" to come at the club.
17-year-old Howell was once again named in the matchday squad for Brighton against Wolves, however, he is yet to feature from the bench.
Not only is Hinshelwood a teammate, but he is also the cousin of Howell, who was recently named in the England Under-17's squad for U17 EURO Finals.
Speaking to Albion Unlimited about Howell's involvement in the first team squad, Hinshelwood said: "It's very nice. He's been training really well and impressing the right people.
"At the same time he's working really hard which I think is the main thing. He's been rewarded by getting on the bench, and I think if he keeps going there's lots more rewards for him.
"When you make your first matchday squad there's so much added incentive. You want to be out on the pitch and it makes you give that little bit more in training.
"It can be a frustrating process, maybe you're missing out on game time because you're in the first team squad. It's important for him to stick at it, and that's all you can really ask.
"It's nice for him to be around. He's got great ability and a great attitude, as long as he keeps going he'll do very well."
'Embrace an ambassador of the game' - fans on Milnerpublished at 17:23 14 May
17:23 14 May
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We asked for your views on whether you think James Milner's contract should be extended.
Here are some of your comments:
Jon: Brighton have placed great emphasis on senior players' roles off the pitch. And with our ever persistent injury crisis, experienced bodies are needed at crucial moments. All those things suggest a reasonable contract for a consummate pro at 40 is, at least, not outlandish…
David: I can think of a few games this season when game management in the last 10 minutes was terrible. With an experienced leader like Milner coming on for the last 10-15 minutes, his experience could have been vital. Off the pitch I'm sure he helps too. So I'm all for him g up.
Nicola: Let him go. Give a chance to a youngster from the academy.
Steve: I feel Milner's body is telling him, enough is enough. Doesn't need anyone else to say it. By all means, keep him on the coaching staff but it is mega wages for a risky few outings.
Geoff: Milner is an experienced pro with a vast knowledge that he can call on to mentor the young players. If fit he would still be a valuable squad player and we have needed a player like him to bring off the bench this season on several occasions. If you're good enough, you're young enough.
Richard: You don't play for a top European side for nearly two decades without learning a tremendous amount about the game. We should embrace such an ambassador of the game to impart his knowledge and embrace our young players, many of whom will look up to such a player.
Welbeck 'our precious gem'published at 13:32 14 May
13:32 14 May
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Former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall says Danny Welbeck is "our precious gem" after the striker's latest goal helped Albion beat Wolves at the weekend.
With that strike, the 32-year-old reached double figures in the Premier League for the first time in his career.
Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Aspinall said: "You have to take your hats off to the medical staff saying, 'Look this is our precious gem - we need to keep him polished'.
"He's a true professional on and off the pitch. He's great for the dressing room and great for the youngsters coming through.
"He's done very well with that penalty. He had to wait a long time."
BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor added: "I am delighted for him. He's a crucial player.
"He does so much work outside of the box in link-up play. He's got 14 goal involvements, 10 goals and four assists. That's only two behind Joao Pedro, who's got 10 goals and six assists and ahead of everyone else - Kaoru Mitoma is next with 12 and Minteh with 10.
'It should never happen' - has offside rule been a 'time bomb'?published at 13:14 14 May
13:14 14 May
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For the players and fans, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi getting this injury in a situation where the offside flag should have been raised is so frustrating.
The frustration is when it is clear and obvious. Officials have been overseeing games for many years and they would always flag whether they were right or wrong.
Now technology has come into it, they are very reliant on VAR to make the right decision, the factual decision, about an offside. But, I think when an offside is so clear and obvious, it should be the duty of the assistant referee to put their flag up and stop play from the off.
When it is marginal, I understand we are a bit more hesitant when there are really fine margins, and we have seen those fine margins when goals have been given and it is a toenail to keep them on-side. I would understand it from that point of view, but it was on the halfway-line where the offside happened on Sunday, only for play to be allowed to continue.
It has been a matter of time. It has been a time bomb waiting to go off for somebody to get seriously injured. Awoniyi is the one that has got that injury - that horrific injury - because of it. Some will say it is only the first time it has happened in the duration of this rule, but it should never happen. That is how players will be looking at it, how fans and managers will be looking at it and saying 'it should never happen'. We should not wait for something to happen to reassess rules like this.
I don't like the ruling of it - it is on the halfway-line, it is clear and obviously offside, everybody in the stadium could probably see it. It should be for the assistant referee to make the decision. There are small margins in the box, I understand why they are a bit hesitant, but in open play, if somebody is sprinting, you could cause hamstring, quad, and all types of muscle injuries.
I am totally against this rule of waiting to put up the flag and I think most players and managers are as well. It's disappointing. I think it's a rule that nobody likes, and I'm sure in the summer off the back of this injury, one that will probably be reassessed.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
Milner will turn 40 in January, but can he play a part for Brighton going forward?
He ed the Seagulls in the summer of 2023, after eight trophy-laden years at Liverpool.
According to Opta, since his arrival he has started just 14 Premier League games and played just 950 minutes.
But if you take out his injury-hit season this year, there is no evidence that Milner is slowing down.
Last season he averaged 52 minutes per appearance - his highest since 2018-19 - as he started 11 Premier League games for Brighton.
During the second half of his spell at Liverpool he was limited to mainly substitute appearances, and while he played more minutes in each of his seasons, he started just 27 league matches in his final three years at the club.
And as Brighton push to secure European football for next season, Milner could play an important role both on and off the pitch should he sign a new deal.
Having won the Champions League in 2019, he has played in three European finals and been on the bench in another.
The former England international can also play in a variety of positions and his versatility is a potential asset for Fabian Hurzeler.
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