Three or four years ago my 76 year-old neighbour/left-wing enthusiast told me that an Adam Johnson was the best left winger in the country. Nevermind that he was behind another English winger, Stewart Downing, at club level, this lad was better than him and all the others in the country - including Joe Cole, who shouldn't be cutting in on the left anyway. Today's announcement by Fabio Capello means that I will only have to step outside the house today to be reminded of his premonitions/ultra-scouting abilities. Johnson has already done enough, by my neighbour's book, to join David Wagstaffe and Mark Kennedy in his City footballing textbook.
In a rare example of public praise, Capello said: "Johnson has caught my eye. Now it's important he gets some international experience." By this it seems Johnson will feature, and potentially win his first full-international cap, against Mexico on 24th May - and thus make the provisional World Cup squad of 30 men.
Capello goes on to say "He has come up from the Championship at Middlesbrough, where he played in a different position, and he has done well with Manchester City." Which from a man who tends to keep his cards close to his chest is praise indeed.
Just over a month ago I wrote an article outlining Johnson's outside chance of a World Cup spot. The only thing that has changed since then is Johnson's form and he is evidently a player who believes he is good enough - he has already seamlessly made the jump from Championship to "top four" football and he has every right to believe that he has put himself in the international frame.
I still believe that Capello has had a good idea of his final squad since before Johnson came onto the scene, but it is up to players to challenge this and Johnson has. With Lennon suffering another injury and Beckham out already, there may be opportunities for him.
Another worry, and it would be devastating for him after missing the last World Cup in similar circumstances, is Shaun Wright-Phillips' spot. Already a form-worry for Capello, Shaun has been replaced in the City side by Johnson, could it happen for the World Cup squad too? Walcott, Beckham, SWP and Downing were the chosen wingers for the Egypt game, but with Joe Cole, Johnson, and even Ashley Young making strong cases - Shauny would at least hope to be competing with his rivals at club level and the fact is - he is not.
Where does your neighbour place Peter Beagrie in his list?
ReplyDeleteHe is a Wolves fan, so his City list is dominated by players who then went on to play for Wolves. In fact, the lists aren't too dissimilar!
ReplyDeleteOtherwise Beagrie would definitely be there, I'm sure...