Although it is all purely speculation at the moment, I am concerned about reports linking Liverpool’s Glen Johnson with a move away from Anfield. I am not one to trust the phrase “Sky Sports understands” but there have been other suggestions that all is not well with Glen on Merseyside over the last few months. The French newspaper L’Equipe for example stated in it pages a couple of days ago a quote from Rennes General Manager Pierre Dreossi suggesting that their right back Rod Fanni could be moving shortly, with the paper suggesting Liverpool as his destination:
“A decision will be made within 48 hours.”
Fanni is 29 and is on the market relatively cheaply but Rennes were said to be keen on selling Fanni aboard rather than to their Ligue One rivals Marseille, who are also interested in the player. If we were interested in the Frenchman, the question would be why would we be looking at him when we have two good full backs in Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly unless one was set to leave the club? With Martin Kelly recently signing a new contract, the focus inevitably falls on Johnson and perhaps this is where Sky Sports have got their source from to raise doubt over Glen’s future.
It could very well be that the rumour over Fanni just goes away (with Marseille looking to finalise a deal) and so with it reports over the future of Johnson. As I mention above though, there have been other instances that have worried me that Glen’s future is not 100% certain. I was contacted by a reliable source a couple of months ago that Glen, along with a team-mate Daniel Agger, were learning Spanish, fanning the flames that the 26 year old was looking for a move abroad.
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On top of this, the relationship between Roy Hodgson and Johnson didn’t seem too healthy after a recent incident. Although Roy tried to smooth things over after criticising Johnson’s performances, Glen said this:
“Believe me, no-one wants me to find my best form more than me, and I was aware of what I had to do. It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it. We spoke, and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him then, I don’t need people to tell me, I know where I’m at in terms of form, and I knew it all already.”
I may not be the best at interpreting quotes but there does seem to be some aggravation when he states, “I don’t need people to tell me.” In any case, no matter what truth lies in this speculation, I hope Glen stays and keeps performing to the level he played against Aston Villa. He showed what he is all about in his forward runs against Villa, and his form has improved significantly since the start of the season when he had absolute shocker against Blackpool.
No doubt with Johnson on top form, we have a very good full back, decent defensively when playing well and a massive threat offensively when on his game. If he was to be replaced we would need somebody with his attacking skills but also to have some solid defensive attributes and that would take up a lot of funds, somebody who would certainly cost more than Rod Fanni.
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forced out the club by slaggers who wouldn’t know a good attacking right back if they fell over one
Hodgson needs to play Johnson as a winger and play Kelly at right back. Hodgson doesn’t like Johnson because he bombs forward too much, so playing him as a winger solves this problem, he can certainly play that position better than Kuyt.
Johnson is a superb English footballer that cost us a lot of money, we need to make the most of him not sell him on at some cut price bargain.
Johnson is probably the most overrated player in the history of the game. Most of the time ineffectiv going forward, not much of an end product, but lots of questionable defensive moves leading to chances/goals. ..
But of course he gets a lot of praise for one or two fancy dribblings near the opposition’s box …
Overrated players need to be shipped out by definiton as you get more money for them than you get value from keeping them.
Not saying that Rod Fanni is a better player though …
i say, buy fanni for right back and play glen in the right wing…
since we are in desperate need of a winger, why not play the one we already have..
Hodgson is a fool for think of saleing Johnson is a good player…
agree. glen at right mid! really can’t see why he has not at least been tried there. he’s possibly the best senior right midder we have!
It would be nice to have one moore right back at the club, competing with GJ. Then use Kelly as cover 3th cover for RB and also as cover for central defender position. :o)
I think he’ll stay.
Johnson needs to play as a winger. Kuyt is not a winger and provides no width.
Adam Johnson from City began his career as a defender, he is superb as a winger.
So the message to Hodgson has got to be play Johnson on the Wing Please!
To me both Kely can play together, Jonson need to go front as right winger who is currently one of the only English man who can skilfully facilitates the ball to strikers like Torres, but as a defender he has the pressure at the back. Kely is the panacia to him, so that he plays only attacking.
Perhaps it is more simple… Kelly is better as a center back than right back. With our injuries we then do not to buy another center back but can find a good inexpensive right back at a lower cost than a good center back would cost!
And therein lies the truth i think!