Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Johnson set for exit?

Nothing firm, but a report last night suggests the midfielder could be heading out of the club.

The Times's 'window watch' speculates he could be part of a deal to bring Scott Parker to the club:

West Ham United were in talks last night to sell Matthew Etherington to Stoke City and are considering Manchester City’s revised offer for Scott Parker, which includes Michael Johnson moving in the opposite direction.

City have offered about £4 million plus the England Under-21 midfield player, who signed a new five-year contract in September, when he was attracting interest from Everton and Arsenal. Johnson, 20, gained recognition for the form that he showed at the start of last season but a pelvic injury has restricted him to eight appearances this campaign. West Ham turned down City’s initial £15 million combined bid for Parker and Craig Bellamy last week.
Given that the Johnson (along with Petrov of course) is a key component from the success of last season that we are sorely missing this time around, such a move would represent terrible business and I imagine not do Hughes any favours whatsoever with the majority of fans.

He is a huge talent and that role bridging the defensive midfield (Kompany) and attacking aspects (Ireland, Wright-Phillips) is precisely the player that we actually need, rather than be looking to ship out.

There have been plenty of whispers about Johnson's off-field 'activities', but given he is just 20 years old with a potentially big career in front of him, to give him away plus £4 million for Scott Parker (as useful a signing as he would be) would be folly - not to mention a very risky move from Hughes, who, with the lack of additions so far this window is seeing opinion against him increase further.

vote it up!

2 comments:

newsoftheblues said...

Johnson is a class player, a clever player compared to ireland, but he too can brake through the midfield.

selling him would be stupid

BluePeter said...

Seems risky to say the least parting with Johnson who, on his day, has to be one of the best midfield players in the PL.
But, is it injury or something more sinister that is keeping him out?
Personally I hope the lad can sort out whatever is afflicting him and return to the fold to carry on where he left off - but how much time do you give him>
Manchester lad, came up through the Academy - he is the type of player we should be hanging on to, but we are not privy to the real story behind him.
Not convinced by Parker, but would he do an effective job for us in the meantime, especially when Johnson's future appears in doubt? Who knows, but I bet the City backroom staff have a far better idea than we have.