Millwall midfielder would like to extend Den stay but is ‘pretty relaxed’ over contract situation

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

George Honeyman wants to stay at Millwall but has made it clear he is “pretty relaxed” about his contractual situation.

The 30-year-old has been a mainstay of Neil Harris’ Lions side. The former Sunderland and Hull City player is due to be a free agent at the end of June.

Asked if he would like to sign an extension at Millwall, Honeyman told the South London Press: “Yeah – definitely. I really enjoy it here. We’ve got a great dressing room and fantastic staff to support us on and off the pitch.

“My wife-to-be is settled down here in work. So it would definitely be easier. But, at the same time, you also know it is a business side of it.

“You look at the age of players that are coming into the football club, I may not fit the model for them any more. I don’t know…I’m purely guessing here.”

Honeyman, who made the move to South London from Hull in August 2019 for a fee in the region of £600,000, says that no negotiations have started.

“It’s only November so I’m pretty relaxed about it – as relaxed as you can be,” he said.

“Ultimately if I play well and help the team win then it is good for both parties for whatever comes down the line.

“That is up to the club to initiate. Those things take care of themselves if you stay in the team, play well and the team wins. So we’ll see.

“I have to be open-minded so something doesn’t spring up or surprise me so that I’ve put all my eggs in one basket.

“That is probably as much as I’ve thought about it because I probably feel if I help the team win, keep trying to perform – whether it is Millwall or somewhere else – that something will happen for me.

“It’s a bit of an uncontrollable on my behalf. I can only focus on my performances.”

Honeyman is also one of the top performers in a number of metrics for the Lions. He is first for big chances and chances created, second in terms of xG (expected goals) and second for most successful tackles.

Asked if he tracks his statistics, Honeyman said: “I wouldn’t even know where to look for them, but you do hear them because more people tell you about it.

“Listen, I’m playing as the number 10 – so it is kind of an all-action spot. If I wasn’t high up on them then I’d feel I was doing something wrong.
“I’m really enjoying my role and playing in the team at the minute with the lads around me. We are in a really good place.

“I’ve got to keep contributing that stuff to make sure we’re successful and then it is whether I can improve them on both sides.

“I don’t know why but I always take more pride in the fact you said I was second in tackles as well – it’s almost a unique thing for me in my position.

“It’s not something where I’ve got a tally chart. You go out and try to be the ultimate team player and do what is best for the team.”

Honeyman chalked up his 200th Championship appearance in the 1-0 victory at Swansea.

He said: “In terms of games, I’m very conscious that it is great to be playing lots of them – but I want to make sure I have quite a few good uns in there – rather than just accumulating them!”

Honeyman was replaced by Casper De Norre in that match in Wales with the Belgian scoring the winner.

Honeyman’s reaction to coming off speaks volumes for his squad mentality. He said: “Brilliant. I was absolutely buzzing. It had been a long old week with the fixture schedule.

“I love Casper. Connal Trueman, who is probably his best mate, was winding him up saying it was a tap in – but it was much more than that.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS