Adam Johnson - Loan

[eaststand]

Would it be worth loaning adam johnson out next season? We all know how effective a fully fit and firing johnno can be so could we potentially benefit from a 6 month loan to another club? I mean Liverpool are always linked with him and they will more than likely improve under Rodgers. At first i laughed off the story on SSN but the more i think about it the more i think it may be a good idea

[trautmansdropkick]

It may appear to be a good idea but, with his experience, background and ability, I do not believe for one minute that Adam Johnson himself would accept anything other than a secure place in another club with first team football virtually guaranteed - just like Hazard has done with Chelsea. It's either that or stay here, on a bloody good contract with medals galore going to come his way, and fight for his place. He also knows that he will improve his knowledge of how to play the game in a modern manner while he is with ius.

[Bluemoon]

A loan could be the way ahead, I think City's asking price might put other clubs off.

[trautmansdropkick]

According to SSN, City have definitely stated that Johnson will NOT be going out on loan and will only begin to even CONSIDER selling for a fee in excess of £15 Million. Can't see anyone in England having that kind of money for him this season.

[feedthegoat]

£15m is a fair price imo. if it was us trying to buy him it'd be £22m at least.

[eaststand]

I think the problem is that he is seriously below the standard of fitness required to even get his foot in the door in the team, let alone hold down a regular place in the team and to top it off his confidence will be low after a poor season capitulated in no getting selected for england in favour of the worst winger in the league; stuart downing. The euro's could have kick started his summer and put him back on the right foot for next season but now, unless he displays a serious change in behaviour and attitude and takes it upon himself to get himself fit 'the boring way' over the summer then the only two options i see are sell up or loan him out.

[trautmansdropkick]

To be absolutely fair to Adam Johnson, I have seen a marked improvement in his tactical awareness of his defensive duties in a game - he has improved considerably since he came to us. I feel also that his perceived lack of fitness may be explained by his languid style of running and maybe, he just isn't that kind of all action character like Barry, Milner or De Jong.

Sometimes, though, I must say that his body language gives the impression that he is not fully committed to a game - having said that, I have seen a couple of hundred of games in which Neil Young played for us and, boy oh boy, was he laid back? Or was he laid back ?
In fact I recall that Neil Young started as a left 'winger' (wide mf player in today's parlance) and Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison asked him to move into a more central role in 1961 and he paid them back by shooting much more (as they had suggested) and scored loads of goals. Lesson for us to learn, maybe?

Just to be clear, I do NOT disagree with eaststand's previous post. I just feel that maybe there could be another side to the coin.
I'd also love to think we could keep Johnson, as to watch his skill at cutting in from either flank and getting a vicious cross-shot in is a joy to behold for me.

[geemcfc]

It seems to be the trend with wingers. I can think of a few players who started out wide then moved to play in the middle and I think it is the way forward for AJ. If AJ can sort out his attitude then he has nothing to fear. To support the previous statement and following on from TDK's post have a look at Giggs, Beckham and Gerrard (to some extent). I'm sure there are others as well!