Johnson's a World Cup long shot

March 10, 2010

City winger Adam Johnson admits he is only an outside bet to make England's World Cup squad.

Johnson, 22, has settled in quickly at Eastlands after arriving from Middlesbrough in January.

However, he feels that representing England under manager Fabio Capello in South Africa may be a step too far.

Johnson said: "I know I didn't make the cut for Egypt, but just to see my name in the senior call-up was brilliant. The next step is to play.

"I'm closer to that now I'm at City. The World Cup squad would be difficult, but there's a lot of football to be played and there could be injuries along the way.

"It was a bit disappointing not to be involved at Wembley but I've still come a long way in a short space of time.

"But this World Cup has probably come a bit too soon for me."

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Peter Beagrie`s beagle (10/03/2010 at 10:26)

Yes, I agree it`s a bit too soon for the lad, but put in some dazzling displays for us Adam and you never know! CTID

mark jones (10/03/2010 at 10:32)

you never know adam lad,put in some great performances for us because the left side for england is not nailed down by any one yet.

Blue_heart (10/03/2010 at 10:36)

Adam there is always a chance. Just do what you do for City then what's for you want go past you.

Good Luck with your ambition to play for your country and if you don't make it this year there could be 2 more world cups for you to shine in still.

All the very best Adam Johnson!

Phil Neal's Laxative, Somewhere in Baden (10/03/2010 at 10:40)

It's in his hands, as they say. And is it just me, or is Adam Johnson a dead ringer for Ian Curtis?

Portsmouth Blue (10/03/2010 at 10:58)

Good luck to the lad he has very few games left to cement a place in the squad so he needs to put some big performances in starting now.

Evan Georgiou (10/03/2010 at 11:42)

I don't believe that Mancini chose Adam,because Mancini only got to see him for 25 minutes in the FA Cup....I believe that his purchase came from Marwood,and I believe it is an excellent one at that...would like him to improve his speed and strength,but has a wonderful cross and can play on both wings.....very glad that we have him....

Andrew Shaw (10/03/2010 at 11:48)

He'll have to put in some seriously good performances between now and May. Most unlikely, but he shouldn't give up hope. As he says, injuries may play a part and he would want to be at the top of the list of replacements. And the better he does, the better we'll do which is all good news.

When in Rome (10/03/2010 at 12:03)

I think Adam needs to show Capello what he can achieve on a consistant basis in the premiership before he can be considered for the world cup.

ted knott, droylsden (10/03/2010 at 12:36)

Eh if he had put a red shirt on Capello would now have Adam pencilled in his squad....

The Insider, CTID. (10/03/2010 at 13:58)

ted knott, you would like that, as you talk like one !!! CTID BELIEVE.

hmmm, here (10/03/2010 at 15:39)

Outside chance I'd say, which is as it should be - he hasn't been a prominent top level player for any length of time.

But neither wing is nailed down really, and he has the ability to play both well. He would bring some tactical flexibility to the squad.

Frank Wetherell (10/03/2010 at 16:02)

Saw him training and spoke to him today, what a nice young man, and if he keeps on displaying more great performances then maybe south africa could be an outside shot.....stranger things have happenend (a Theo....)

ted knott, droylsden (10/03/2010 at 16:39)

The insider CTID ---now how do you make that one out? furthermore ' I talk like one'? dont you mean 'write' like one? for goodness sake some of you lot (happy clappers) need to grow up why cant you accept honest opinions and does everyone have to agree with each other?

Blue Mancunian, Sunny Droylsden (10/03/2010 at 17:30)

don't worry Adam mate, i'm you'll be at Brazil 2014 when your 26, ton's of experience and at your peak

The crafty goat, Manchester (10/03/2010 at 17:42)

This article is a complete pile of tosh. It's miles to soon for Adam Johnson.

Good god he's got to prove himself at City yet.

Whoever, wrote this must be rather short of other material. Just give let the lad settle in at City rather than put any nonsensical pressure his way.

His chance will come in 4 years, let's hope he progresses and applies himself so that success for Adam at City equals promotion to England squad.

Bobby Johnstone's left kneecap, Hong Kong (11/03/2010 at 02:45)

Ted is probably right on this one. We continue to get a lousy deal off all the media. On a more positive note, I was delighted when we signed this lad. I was impressed with him when he played for 'Boro against us at CoMS and wanted him then. He is definitely going to develop into a first rate player for City. When you consider some of the big money that City have paid out for very poor Italian/Brazilian players, who did not even try for the team, it makes me believe that we should really scout the Championship for talented youngsters. Arsenal picked up Ramsey and Walcott; 'Spurs, Huddlestone; Bale; Dawson; Lennon etc., there must be more to come from that source. I saw Ramsey play against our U18s for Cardiff a couple of years ago at Platt Lane and was really impressed. I think Arsenal paid 5M for him! Just think what we could have got for 32.5M (Robbingcityho); 18M Jo - I could go on.

Anthony Shaw (11/03/2010 at 13:22)

had a good start for City, only 2 wingers in front of him are fully fit currently.

manchester,were the majority of utd fans watch them on tv, salford (12/03/2010 at 00:54)

if he gets regular games for city , england do not have many left sided players , he has every chance .

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