World Cup call thrills City star Johnson

Stuart Brennan

May 12, 2010

Adam Johnson

Adam Johnson is aiming to cap a fine debut season for City by clinching a place in the World Cup finals.

The Blues winger landed a place in the provisional 30-man England squad announced by Fabio Capello.

And Johnson has vowed to give everything in a fortnight of training and two friendly fixtures in a bid to make the cut when the squad is trimmed to a final 23 on June 1.

The £7m buy from Middlesbrough has been a big success story for City in the second half of the season, and finished as the Blues' best player in the 1-1 draw at West Ham on Sunday. Now he has had to postpone holiday plans in a bid to secure a seat on the plane to South Africa.

The ecstatic Johnson said: "I don't care about missing holidays - I didn't want the season to end on Sunday because I have been enjoying the last six months.

"If I get a call-up to the final 23 it would be the best moment of my career and just going to the World Cup would be amazing.

"It would cap an incredible six months for me. My form has been good and hopefully I might be in with a shout."

Johnson was a left winger at Boro but City boss Roberto Mancini has played him on the right - and Johnson believes that may have helped his case.

"It might be a good thing that I can play on either side," he said.

Johnson was included in the 30-man squad for the March friendly with Egypt, but did not make the final cut then.

He will now travel to Austria on Monday with the rest of the squad, and should make his international debut in either the Wembley friendly with Mexico on May 24 or the fixture against Japan in Austria on May 30.

If he doesn't make the cut, Johnson says the fact he is in Capello's thoughts is encouraging in itself.

"Just being in the 30 means I have come a long way, getting an international call-up and going away with the top players in the England squad," he said.

"It's now up to me to prove in the two weeks away what I can do. Stranger things have happened."

Should Johnson make the final squad? Have your say.

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neil youngs left boot, geraldton, western australia (12/05/2010 at 09:24)

good luck to you young man, never take anything for granted and get too big for your pants and you'll be right (think about stevie ireland)
three possible city players playing for england in the world cup,brilliant!

Evan Georgiou (12/05/2010 at 09:35)

Bravo Adam Johnson,it shows how far you've risen since you joined City,before you came you were not even on Capello's radar and it shows how far Roberto has taken you that he has played you ahead of SWP who is also in the England squad....that's why I like Roberto he is never afraid to give the youngsters a chance....that's why academy graduates cannot hide behind their fingers...if they are good enough they will play....

Phil Neal's Laxative, Somewhere in Baden (12/05/2010 at 09:48)

As a left-winger most definitely. I would expect Cappello to stick with Lennon on the right, but Johnno can make the LW berth his own if he tries hard enough. It's all down to him to knuckle under and show what he can do in the friendlies and during the training sessions.

If it comes off, what a tremendous boost this will be for his development, and that has got be good news for us. Good luck Adam!

BlueIsTheColour, West Didsbury (12/05/2010 at 09:59)

No real surprise this because AJ has been playing well from his first game as a Blue.

To be honest, his best asset is that he runs at defenders & creates chances. This is exactly what SWP used to be so good at, but now he seems to want to play as an 'inside forward'. (Don't know if this is under orders from RM, but it is doing SWP no good at all)

I think AJ has a great chance of making the final squad. He plays wide on either side & his defending is improving no end! This is the start of a long & successful Blue career!!

CTID

citypedro, manchester (12/05/2010 at 10:00)

Excellent form since joining the Blues and deserves to be in the squad. Hope he gets a chance to display his skills for England. 3 city players in the squad and could have been 5 with Bridge and Lescott.

CityLady, South Africa (12/05/2010 at 10:02)

I feel this is probably a good time for Adam Johnson to show what he really is made of. I feel if he is picked and should be over SWP as his form has been so much better over the season. If Johnson gets picked and has a good world cup he'll be coming back flying. This can only help Manchester City and aid Adam to reach a higher ground not only for his club, but assisting him in gaining a regular place for Country too. It's been a while since we had 4 players in the National team and with the youngsters coming through can see it being more. While Adam is still young and has a lot to learn, what better place to learn than on the world stage. I feel we have to let these players loose sometimes in order for them to make mistakes, as then they can be rectified making them a complete player. Another player for me that is head and shoulders above the rest is Hart, I feel he is now being merited for his great season at Birmingham and this again can only help Manchester City, imagine his confidence if picked as Englands No1. Joes going to come back after the World cup on a high and what better way to start your season, hitting the ground running. The future looks very bright for Manchester City and I can only hope for these to likable fellows to get the chance, in the 23 man team to come here to South Africa. I just hope all four lads are picked and that they have a great tournement I know I'll be going to see them play and try to win for England.

micheal ok, kilworth,county cork ireland. (12/05/2010 at 10:06)

well done to the lad :) its an honour to be called up for your country,take note stephen.............

CTID

George Roper (12/05/2010 at 10:09)

Just the type of player we need at the club and would like to see him joined in the summer by Milner and Rodwell. I dont get the Vieira and Sylvinho extensions as they are too slow for the Premiership. Get rid of the big time charlies such as Ireland and Richards and improve with Gourcuff and Boateng.

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (12/05/2010 at 10:09)

This lad has bags of talent, I can see him being a star for us over the next few years, and he will become an England regular. CTID

Michael knightons tash, Outside manchester (12/05/2010 at 10:19)

Congragulations adam he reminds me very much of a young giggs pace skill and more importantly the component that ireland needs to get back, a real love for the game.

Big stage the world cup for a very inexperienced lad but he has the character and something a little bit different that will suit england.

As i said before forget about injury prone torres and build on what we have with hungry experienced young players who will grow together.

Jay The Manc, London Village (12/05/2010 at 10:20)

he's done exceptionally well to get this far, it will be phenomenal if he gets to go actually go, but he's got some stiff competition, good luck though Adam, youve definately got the ability.

I see no place for agbonlahor or bentley?? Regretting your decisons a few years ago to choose a holiday with the lads over representing your country at u21 level eh lads? Pshyco doesn't forget.

Drew Peacock (12/05/2010 at 10:21)

He should go. Out of the 4 wingers Capello has chosen, SWP, Lennon and Walcott are all similar. Plus he has areadly shown he is confortable of both side.

Who knows, he may be a surprise for England in the world cup, along with Huddlestone and Milner.

Drew Peacock (12/05/2010 at 10:22)

neil youngs left boot, geraldton, western australia
12/05/2010 at 09:24

Dont you mean 4? SWP, Barry, Johnson and Hart....

City Slipper, Manchester (12/05/2010 at 10:32)

A great purchase by Mancini. If he does play in the world cup, I think he will be worth a bit more than 7 milion afterwards. Not that we want to sell, of course.

I expect Lennon to be first choice on the right with SWP second choice. Probably Milner on the left with Johnson as back up. If one of the wingers is to be left out, it's between SWP and Walcott for me. Milner is nailed on due to his versatility and I reckon Capello can't afford to leave Johnson behind unless he opts for Joe Cole. No Downing, no Ashley Young, no David Bentley. Nice to see Johnson ahead of these players.

CTID_2010 , Manchester (12/05/2010 at 10:56)

Good Luck Adam, youve had a great half season for us, i wish you the best of luck you deserve it, hope to see you playing in an england kit when the world cup is on

dennis laws backheel (12/05/2010 at 11:03)

Whether he makes it or not this time, just caps off a great half season for AJ!

Superb player and set to get better as his experience at a higher level increases.

Downing must be gutted!

Bigg Boi, Here, there, everywhere... (12/05/2010 at 11:06)

Good luck AJ!!!

Even many of my Rag friends agree it's good to have you onboard (in fairness, like I'd agree with them
that Paul Scholes should be too, gutted he turned England down! The win comes first when it's World Cup time eh? No rivalries now! Scholes wouldve been the REAL gem we were looking for).

Mr Cappello will get to see AJ's enthusiasm, glee, delight and genuine school boy smile attitude that he had 1. The day he signed for us 2. The whole season he played for us. I think that ALONE could get him a berth, let alone his ability.

Good on the ball. Quick (getting quicker). Passionate. Fearless (Carved West Ham apart on his own on Sunday, likewise Sunderland, Chelsea, Burnley and Birmingham). Close control to match Giggs. And above else???

A WAND of a left foot. Magical. Can shoot, score, create, conjure, cross and has the pure talent to beat a man and genuinely win penalties (an art in itself!)

From a selfish point of view? 7 million? Well after the world cup, if he goes, pop a zero on the end of that figure! ;-)

Love this kid, good head on his shoulders and a real fighter, unlike Stevie No Show.... Put him on the plane Cappello, AJ on the left, AL on the right? Wow! Even I'm scared!

David Evans, Zuerich (12/05/2010 at 11:12)

Congratulations AJ !

He should go. He is an unknown quantity for the top teams and will benefit greatly from this.

moss side refugee in pembroke, pembroke dock (12/05/2010 at 11:15)

Congratulations to AJ , surely this is a vindication of RMs ability to spot talented players and gives us confidence in any future signings .I just hope that our scouting force can find other youngsters like this to blend with the products of our academy.

Sam Haggar Lowestoft -MCFC-CARLOS TEVEZ ONCE A RED AlWAYS A BLUE (12/05/2010 at 11:33)

I realy Hope adam Johnson gets in the England 23 sqauad alot of people say its to early. He has been on great form so he should get in shame lescott did not get in the 30 man sqaud a lot of people say he did't get in because he ahs been injured most of the time well what about Rio Ferdinand he has been injured more than any england defender only reason he got in because he is captain.

Ambivalent One,, Formerly East Stand Lower (12/05/2010 at 11:42)

RMs ability to spot talented players ???? FOOL

It was Marwoods signing, get a grip

Well done AJ.

Never Boo a Blue and FFS Stay Till the End, Sale (12/05/2010 at 12:02)

Scandalous that Chris Smalling didn't get in the squad, he must be worldclass, some huge club has just paid 12m for him, what do you reckon Clue Less, bad dave and backstabber?

mark jones (12/05/2010 at 12:24)

well done that man,you,ve bein quality since you joined us,this england call up is a bonus at such a young age,take it son,good luck.

the real mark jones.

City Slipper, Manchester (12/05/2010 at 12:27)

It was Marwoods signing, get a grip
Ambivalent One,, Formerly East Stand Lower
12/05/2010 at 11:42

1) How do you know? 2) Was Mancini wearing a blindfold when we played Middlesborough?

SkyBLUE in TORONTO, Toronto Canada (12/05/2010 at 12:33)

Well Done AJ!! Thanks for your passion and quality on the Pitch for City - You have earned this call up!!!!

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