But the teenager - who has yet to reach 20 top-flight games - admits he is flattered to be mentioned in the same breath as the Blues legend.
The shock of blonde hair and the lung-bursting runs from midfield, topped off with some clinical finishing, have led more than one commentator to compare the pair.
At the age of 19, Bell had been learning his trade at Bury for two seasons and was poised for his big move to Maine Road, whereas Johnson has come straight through the ranks.
"I never saw Colin play, but obviously I know he was a great player and that he has a stand named after him at our ground," Johnson said.
Compliment
"The main thing for me now is to keep my feet on the ground and take each game as it comes. To be compared with Colin is a great compliment."
Now an avid spectator, Bell has seen for himself what all the fuss is about concerning the young midfielder and the mutual admiration is clear.
"I must admit I thought to myself that he has a look of me," he said. "He is learning his trade very well, just like the four or five youngsters coming through. They are gaining experience all the time and the future looks bright."
Johnson is currently joint top of the Blues scoring charts, and has set his sights on adding more to the pair he has bagged so far.
Given that boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is playing with five in midfield and one up front, Johnson knows it is vital that he and his colleagues in the middle chip in with as many goals as possible.
Johnson is doing his bit, with a winner against Derby last month and another to see off Aston Villa on Sunday.
Improvement
"It's only two, but I will be looking to get a few more this season," he said. "I could have a had a hat-trick against Villa.
"I feel as though I am improving all the time. We have better players this season and it rubs off.
"Elano is a great player and he set me up against Derby too. If you make the runs, then he has the ability to find you. It is important that all of the team weigh in with goals whenever we can. I have not set any targets as far as goals are concerned, but 10 is a nice round number!
"The fact that Didi Hamann is such a superb player and can receive the ball off the back four and distribute it gives me a license to go forward and look for goals."
Footballers were clearly not at the forefront of Rudyard Kipling's thinking when he wrote his epic poem `If', but Urmston born Johnson's temperament is such that it may have been penned with him in mind. Few players keep their head so well when all about them are losing theirs.
Even the wonderfully phlegmatic Swede Eriksson admits that he has been impressed with the calmness shown on and off the pitch by the England Under-21 international. Despite the ice-cool exterior, there is though a fire burning within the Academy product who wastes words as infrequently as he gives the ball away.
Evidence of the 19-year-old's more tempestuous side came in the defeat at Blackburn, when he was hauled off after half-an-hour and tossed his shirt away in disappointment when he reached the dugout.
Eriksson admits he doesn't mind such shows of passion.
"Michael was disappointed at Ewood Park to be taken off and I understand that," said the boss. "It was something that we never discussed again. We needed to make a tactical change and that was what I did.
"He reacted in training the way I wanted him to; he has trained and worked hard. We need goals from midfield if we are going to go on playing like we are doing."
How highly do you rate Johnson? Have your say.
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There's a striker in Italy we should take a look at ..... Bernardo Corradi !!! His late goal gave Parma a share of the spoils against Cagliari.
Quality. A far better player now than Joey Barton will ever be. A good lad as well! He's from Davyhulme, not Urmston!
I hope Joey Barton has been watching young Johnsons rise to prominence and crying into his cornflakes, because thanks to Bartons departure Johnson is probably getting more games than he would have if Barton had remained. Johnson has the potential to be as good as Gerrard (who although he plays for Liverpool in my book is the best all-round midfielder in the world) and as I said at the beginning of the season, training and playing alongside players like Elano and Geovanni is helping him improve as a player in terms of his technique and his self belief.
boy needs some jelly eel down his neck to built him up a bit
Definately does resmble the King, the way he runs and general appearance. Doesnt need this comparision though, the game has changed so much now ... let he develop as MJ.
For Johnson to become as good as Colin would be wonderful and he looks to be making an incredible start. My mate GED stopped at the Hilton on sunday and at 1.30 monday morning had to leave the hotel when the fire alarm went off.False alarm so when they all piled back into the hotel who is he sharing the lift with but THAKSIN dressed in a very natty pair of pyjamas.They discussed the match shook hands and "FRANK" even posed for a picture with him. Ged to my knowledge has never said anything pleasant about anything in the last twenty years but he now rates SHINAWATRA highly
"I CAN SEE HE (KASPER) HAS PROBLEMS IN THE AIR,BUT I CAN ALSO SEE HE GETS AWAY WITH IT. SGE.
"HE IS A FANTASTIC FOOTBALL PLAYER, (IRELAND) HE CAN PLAY CENTRAL, LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE". SGE.
NOT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN SVEN.
Joey who? MJ looks like he is going to a great player and should a lot from Hamman and Elano. No wonder that Liverpool were offering so much money for him.
A couple of good signings in Jan and I think we have a very good chance of European footie next year.
What a difference a new season makes, City 2nd in league, Rags below us and Bolton bottom. I finally have the bragging rights at work for the 1st time since since the Maine Rd massacre.
I don’t want to make comparisons too soon, but it is fun to do so. Michael is proving to be another star in the making from the academy. All credit to the academy team. It is interesting to note, last season there was only one player challenging for man of the match maybe two with double percentage figures week in week out. We seem to have four or more every week in double percentage figures and it varies from defence to midfield to attack. It also shows more of a team performance week in week out. I see Sven and his management team are doing something very good. Keep up the good work guy’s I am confident more improvement will come over the weeks. Bring on Fulham & Newcastle.
There is only one god and that was king Colin.No one can be compared to him.A true one off.
first time I've commented here. But if MJ turns out to be better than Gerard and not as good as King Colin I'll be well pleased
the difference between Sven and tommybates is there for all to see... 2nd in the table you rag muppet
I must admit that I was very worried when Joey & Sylvan jumped ship for the lure of fools gold, but the way Jonno has jumped in along with Didi, & the superb Micah & even Corluka, makes life feel a whole lot better.
I hope we dont have to do without Dunny too many times this season but at least we know we can cover for all positions.
Still a little bit worried about the forward line tho, Emile is willing but a little wayward, & Rolando is coming on leaps & bounds but we are still short.
Where is Danny Sturridge in the ppecking order? He needs games now, what about Norwich?
Mark of the JJ fame
If Johnson was like Bell he'd have stuck his first-half chance away with his left foot. Now change the subject...
Like has been said - he is the first Michael Johnson not the next Colin Bell...
I think he is getting on for being as good as Barton is now (far better than Barton was at 19) in a couple of seasons MJ will be compared to Gerrard not the other scouse thug...
GLAD TO SEE YOU HAVE CAUGHT
UP,I TOLD THE PEOPLE WHO SIT NEAR ME AT THE GROUND LAST SEASON THAT HE LOOKS AND RUNS LIKE KING COL.AT 73 YEARS OLD I SAW ALOT OF HIM
He looks more like Jeffrey out of Rainbow than King Col
Can you do Elvis as well, peter?
Mark Walker- Totally agree with giving Sturridge a chance but unfortunately he's out till the new year injured! What about the young lad evans? Heard quite a bit of hype but haven't seen him play? Really think we missed out on Yakubu! We need somone quick and strong to play alongside Bianchi or Mpenza!
bobby macdonalds peahead:
up above the streets and houses!
rod out of rainbow-am avvin that one
Bobby Macdonald's Pea Head, M40
.......ERRRR Now everybody knows that Bobby!! Dont they George?
Mark Walker,
Danny Sturridge will get his chance. At the moment he's on crutches.
Sturridge is recovering from a hip operation is what I heard.
Distin looked a shadow of himself for Pompey against liverpool. Newcastle cant beat Derby. And they both complained last year about ambition?
Johnson is class. And he can finish better than Barton ever could.
The chances of Magic turning out to be a better player than The King are very remote but he certainly has major potential.