I don’t think many Liverpool fans would disagree that Glen Johnson wasn’t worth the £17million that the Reds paid for him back in June 2009, and his recent performances this season suggest that as a right back, his defensive qualities leave a lot to be desired. Roy Hodgson was speaking the truth when he questioned the 26 year old’s England credentials but I wholeheartedly agree with the opinion that it is not right for a manager to criticise one of his own players in public . Another foot in mouth moment for Roy, one which he had to clarify after the Stoke defeat last Saturday:
“It amazes me when you make a statement of such obvious veracity that people want to make headlines out of it. Everyone has been saying what I’m saying.”
The obvious veracity of the statement is undoubted. Probably Glen’s worst game of the season was against Blackpool when the Reds lost 2-1 at home to the Seasiders. After allowing Luke Varney to cut inside him in the penalty box, he scythed the player down giving Charlie Adam the opportunity to make it 1-0 from the spot. He was equally at fault for the second goal before half time when he kept Varney onside to slot past Pepe Reina.
Johnson’s defensive failings have been questioned his entire career and at 26 years of age, it seems unlikely that the England international will improve a great deal in this regard in the future. Reds fans have therefore suggested playing Johnson as a right winger and relinquishing the player’s defensive responsibilities. John Aldridge has also suggested such a tactic as just like Gareth Bale, he would be unleashed from the shackles to do what he does best, go forward and attack the opposition full back.
It is something that in my opinion too should be considered, especially with the emergence of Martin Kelly, who is markedly more able defensively than Johnson. It is an option I feel that is unlikely to be employed by Roy Hodgson though. With Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez, Ryan Babel and Raul Meireles all options to be used, I doubt whether Roy will even consider the move forward for Glen.
On top of this, you have to consider the state of mind of Glen Johnson too. After the public criticism from his manager over his performances, he could be justifiably disgruntled about his treatment, and could be seeking a way out. There was talk of the player taking Spanish lessons a couple of months ago even before Roy Hodgson’s comments on the player, and today, it emerged in the Spanish newspaper Sport, that Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing the player to Real Madrid. There have also been reports that a move to Juventus is on the cards with Alberto Aquilani stating he would choose the Reds player to join him in Italy out of his former teammates.
If Roy is still in charge in January, and Glen Johnson is unsettled as reported, interest on Real Madrid or Juventus’s part may suit both parties. If we got a sizeable fee for the player, do you think Glen would be on his way in January?
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Chop off a few mil because of the extortionate prices for English players and you have Englands no. 1 right back for 13 mil.. For that figure he’s deffo worth the price paid…
I refuse to give into this black and white basic way of thinking that because he’s brilliant in attack he’s a terrible defender.. At worst as a defender he still better than most. Fans insatiable need to see young players come through the ranks (Kelly) has started this undeserved criticism. Without discrediting the youngster to prove a point I think Kelly has messed up a good few times and for some unknown reason it seems to get overlooked..
I’ve no doubt Kelly will be a class act in the future but fans claiming he’s the “Real deal” right now and that he should be picked before Johnson is imo ridiculous..
At times this season in the midst of such dire football he’s been our only attacking option without having a terrible defensive game..
He’s been injured this season like others who haven’t found form but was subject to a baffling public attack from our wonderful man manager of a gaffa which was totally unwarranted..
Everything about Hodgsons footballs suggests he’ll never get the most out of Johnno..
A fit Glen Johnson is a class act and I hope the boy stays for many ah year..
Totally agre with you Tiger Balls – if we actually let Johnson (and the team attack) all of a sudden, his defensive deficiencies wouldn’t be so exposed. Kelly on the other hand is quite clearly a centre-back, and though adequate as a short term fix at right back, he does not offer the quality attacking thrust that a genuine full back like Johnson does.
If you put any of the top attacking full backs in this Hodgson team and forced them to curb their attacking instincts and instead focus on defending, all of a sudden they’d look vastly over-rated too anyway – there is little to gain by selling Johnson for a massive loss and then having to dig deep again to replace him with another attacking full back
David, you are right in saying we have overpaid for Johnson – but not by much. Attacking right backs (and left backs) are as rare as strikers, a fact that explains why Rafa paid the price.
Ah, and I don’t think we should sell Johnson. Moving him to the right wing or using him as an attacking full-back with cover from a holding midfielder and the centre backs are options that, in my view, will stand Liverpool to good stead in the months to come. I am still smarting from the loss of Aquilani and would hate to see yet another of our creative players lost due to Roy Hodgson.
17 mil is a bit too much for a right back I have to say but there’s no doubt that the guy’s magnificent when he’s in form. There are not many good attacking full backs around at the moment and Johnson is fantastic in making runs down the right wing and providing crosses. To add to that, since we don’t have an out and out winger, we tend to have players like Maxi and Kuyt on the right who aren’t the sort of players who can run down the flanks and put in crosses so this is why we need a fast, attacking full back who can support the right winger. When he’s fit, I believe he should be our no.1 right back while I also support the idea of trying him out on the right wing with Kelly behind him.
agree entirely with jay wright! i also believe GJ is the BEST right-winger we have! he could be Lfc’s Bale given the chance and i would have young kelly at full-back ahead of carra!
what’s the one thing we’ve missed this season (apart from a partner for torres).. width!!! glen should play on the right of midfield… it’s glaringly obvious. anything spurs/bale can do on the left of midfield why can’t we do it on the right? kuyt is not a right mid. it’s no coincidence the best we’ve played this season (first half chelsea and first half blackburn) kuyt was up front next to torres. kelly can fill in at right back till the transfer window. he’s already said he doesn’t know what his best position is and being a local lad he doesn’t care where he plays (unlike agger). maxi has done well on the left. perhaps lucas and joe cole can play in the centre in the absence of SG. meireles and poulson this wkend i guess.. i hope gerrards absence drives them in to good form.
Well, I hope today’s performance has set that debate to rest – for good!