Kieran Gibbs has likened one Inter Miami star to Liverpool icon James Milner after his efforts for the Herons this season.
It’s been a year to remember so far for the Florida franchise, with Inter Miami sat top of the Supporters’ Shield standings and looking like mid-season favorites for MLS Cup, with the playoffs looking all but-assured.
With Lionel Messi the obvious star player, Inter Miami have also seen a number of other names emerge as real heroes this season, namely new arrivals Luis Suarez, Matias Rojas, and academy graduate Benjamin Cremaschi.
And former defender Gibbs has now praised another Inter Miami star for their form this season.
Julian Gressel praised as Inter Miami’s answer to Premier League legend Milner
Speaking on the Inter Miami Weekly Show, Gibbs likened Julian Gressel to Premier League legend Milner, who at 38-years-old is still a regular with Brighton & Hove Albion having won everything out there with Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
Gibbs said when asked who has been Inter Miami’s unsung hero this season: “I feel like Gressel has been really impressive, I would say he has been the unsung hero.
“For me, he’s been outstanding, his experience has been so important to the team, he’s been ever-present by playing every game, bagging six assists. He’s lethal on the set-pieces, he’s had such an impressive season. He’s a classic example of that player every team needs, and he’s proving it with his performances and versatility.
“Every team needs one of those players, I think of players like James Milner, who was so important for a manager to rely on, always fit, always available, ever-present, and you can tell that he has really grown, and even gone up another level compared to previous seasons, playing with Messi, Busquets, Suarez, it’s done him a world of good. It’s been a joy to watch him”
Gressel has been one of the MLS signings of the season
Gressel was a signing that simply could not have gone wrong, with the USA international one of the most consistent players in MLS since making his debut at Atlanta United under Tata Martino.
And this season, Gressel has truly been one of the signings of the season, with the German-born midfielder playing in every game for Inter Miami either starting from the off or coming on via the bench.
And if Inter Miami are to win MLS Cup, it will be down to the likes of Gressel keeping everything ticking over, with the midfielder truly an outstanding player and exactly what the Herons need to succeed.