Well as you said, we're all probably a bit biased. I mean, you see Johnson week in week out. I see Johnson on MOTD every once in a while being caught out of position or half asleep on a goal. We need some "neutral" fans to pick a combined team really!
The Johnson is poor defensively drum is one they love to bang (ITV/Andy Townsend far more than the beeb to be fair). When he's fit that lad is Rolls Royce of a footballer with and without the ball. He's on a different level to all of the England fullbacks (except Cole at his best). I quite rate Micah Richards, but a lot of that is because he such an absolute beast. Players like Walker are incredibly gifted physically, but Richards is on another level again. All of them apart from Johnson always strike me as needing momentum behind them though. You won't catch Walker when he's on a run and the ball is played into his path. You won't catch Richards when he's in the same position, and if by some chance you're unfortunate enough to, he'll Jonah fuckin' Lomu your Mike Catt arse.
English fullbacks are pure momentum. Martin Kelly is the same (so far). I'll be fair on that one. He's a hell of a strong runner, but even he - although he's trying - isn't the same quality on the ball as Johnson.
He did it again yesterday. He picked up the ball on the right, jinked inside one Villa player, outside the next and Richard Dunne came across and pelted him. Two years ago at WHL he won the penalty with the type of fullback play few others are capable of.
People say English players are overrated, and it's true in some cases. When they're favourites they're hyped unmercilessly. Others fly under the radar for fucking eons though. Carrick at Spurs I thought was one. Glen Johnson is definitely one. When he's fit, he's top class. I remember the way people used to gush about Zambrotta at Juve because he could play down either side and rarely get beaten by the winger and look just as comfortable going forward. Johnson's been that good for us when he's been fit under Kenny. ... When he's been fit.
I mean yeah, there is some degree of bias here. I'd take Lucas, you'd have Parker. I'd take Skrtel, you'd have Kaboul. I'd take Enrique, you'd have Assou-Ekotto. I can go along with that. Don't think Johnson against Walker is even a contest. Kelly against Walker then yeah, I'd have Kelly, you'd have Walker. Johnson though... Nah. Streets ahead. Find me another fullback in the league with his balance and ability off either foot and I'll show you a rare player, 'cos there isn't one.
