Milan 17,964 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 The England international says he needed to leave the Blues in order to play regular first-team football... Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson has defended his decision to leave title-chasing Chelsea for the relegation-battlers in the summer of 2007. The right-back became the Blues' first signing after Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club when he completed a £6 million transfer from West Ham United. Although he went on to make 72 first-team appearances for the Blues, scoring four goals, he felt he had to leave Stamford Bridge for regular first-team football, with then-manager Jose Mourinho seemingly favouring Paulo Ferreira. "When Jose came in it was different," Johnson told the British tabloid The Daily Mail. "I didn't have an issue with Mourinho but obviously there was [an issue with me] on his side. You could pick up that vibe and it was in and out of the team. "People might have seen a move from Chelsea to Portsmouth as a backward step but I saw it only as a positive move. "I knew I could make it if I got the chance to play and I'm pleased with how things have gone down here." The 24-year-old has since established himself as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. goal.com It's a pity he's gone. Moreover, with Mancienne we'd have all English defence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diskoviolente 425 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 true, a good a move for him. he can establish for the English national team and plays first team football. same goes for Bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EskWeston 696 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I agree it was a good move for him. Never understood why we let him go when we had so many problems in the right back positon, always thought he was a decent player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLion. 21,491 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I've always thought he was average at best defensively. Going forward, however, he's as good as anyone I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laylabelle 9,539 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Really dont think the first game back for us after loan we let in 2 goals one which he was at fault for... Still good move more of a chance to play etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warnie_666 1,081 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 We've had more flops than hits ever since Roman and he is one of em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott 7 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 He wasn't brilliant, but he was only young and a good prospect. He was never good enough to remain at the club if he wanted regular first team football, but it's good to see him do well. Even if he does steal toilet seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Cee 50 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 goal.com It's a pity he's gone. Moreover, with Mancienne we'd have all English defence. Huh? :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott 7 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, John Terry and Michael Mancienne All English defence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kez 2,727 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Him leaving was good for Chelsea as well he was crap at defending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Cee 50 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, John Terry and Michael Mancienne All English defence. Yeah, but Mancienne isn't on the 1st team. I don't think Johnson would be if he's still here, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott 7 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Milan's point I think was that if we'd kept Johnson then eventually we could field this all English defence, perhaps next season. And personally I think that Mancienne is capable enough to play in our team, although not sure Johnson is better than Bosingwa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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