Manchester City have an abundance of talent at their disposal, Adam Johnson included, which will often lead to the temptation to alternate players. Johnson has found himself occupying the bench, more often than not, due to this alternation of personal and the quality of players in front of him being James Milner and David Silva. In the Premier League Johnson has featured in twelve of the thirteen matches so far for City, but seven of these have been from the subs bench, and this is leading to Johnson becoming frustrated with the current use of his talents.

Out of the five games that Johnson has started, Manchester City’s record stands at two wins, one loss and two draws. Without the winger City’s record stands at having won three, drawn two and lost three, which makes fairly similar reading between the two. So with this showing no real signs of forcing a debate over the inclusion of Johnson on a more regular basis, I wish to argue that he should be starting in order to achieve his potential and how it will affect his England performances.

Johnson has expressed his frustrations at having to watch envious of the players starting in front of him, especially with the form he was showing, by stating to Key 103: “I wouldn’t say I was great with it, I am the type of person that wants to play football all the time, so it is hard to watch. I will still do my best and try to get back into the team but it is a little bit frustrating because I started the season well and my form was really good.” This has led to appearances being limited to 20-30 minute cameos, in which rhythm and consistency are difficult to establish.

A player of Johnson’s quality should be playing week-in and week-out, this would give him the experience he needs in order to improve and the confidence that comes with an assurance in the knowledge that you’ll be starting. He has such tremendous technique, dribbling ability and a dangerous left-foot, that his potential is frightening, but only if guided and nurtured in the correct manner. He has that attribute which is so precious to a football team, the ability to create, to fathom something out of thin air when other means have failed.

Unfortunately, with the current situation and the talent that is intrinsic at Manchester City, Johnson seems unlikely to be given a consistent run in the side. The realization of what has happened with Shaun Wright-Phillips would make Johnson become enervated with the possibility of emulating him. With money being no object, more signings could be acquired in the near future and push Johnson further into the periphery.

Now I’ve no bias against City, I’m merely suggesting that they may not supply Johnson with the necessary means in realizing his outstanding talent. Bearing England in mind also, having a regularly playing and confident Johnson is preferred over a desultory, languid and bit-part playing Johnson. I believe Roberto Mancini has an unenviable task trying to consolidate expectations at City and rotation is one of his managerial solutions, but it doesn’t mean it will benefit everyone, especially a young Johnson. Would a move away be positive or negative?

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