We are still almost two months away from the winter transfer window but the rumour mill is already on a roll. TalkSPORT are claiming that La Liga holders Barcelona are looking for a right-back in January and their primary target is Stoke City full-back Glen Johnson. Yes, you read it right! Glen Johnson, a 32-year-old past his peak injury-stricken right-back, is who Luis Enrique believes can reinforce his backline.
Dear Liverpool fans, do you remember Glen Johnson? I really doubt so. The Englishman has done very little at Anfield during his six long years at the club. I wouldn’t say it was all bad. The first two or three seasons were pretty decent from the former Chelsea defender but in the final couple of years, he was nothing more than a liability to the Reds. Nathaniel Clyne is only having his second season at Anfield and has already overshadowed his compatriot.
Liverpool got rid of the 54-capped English international last summer and it was Stoke City who signed him on a free transfer but he has made a very little impact with the Potters. Now in his thirties, Johnson has been troubled by injury problems in the last few years and that seem to have worsened at the Bet365 Stadium. Even when he is fit, the Englishman looks like a shadow of the player he once was.
Since the retirement of Gary Neville from the English national team, Glen Johnson has been more of a regular for the English national team over the years. Now his place is taken by Kyle Walker and Nathaniel Clyne but 54 caps over the years for a country that has produced a series of talented players in his position is not a bread and butter task at all. In Glen Johnson, Barcelona will get a player with a huge experience in both club football and at international level too but is that enough?
Johnson once was a brilliant attacking full-back but his defending was never good enough. Nowadays, his attacking forays from down the right flank are also questionable. Truth to be told, Johnson should not remain the first-choice of a club like Stoke City who are so ambitious about their future.
Barcelona’s search for a new right-back is pretty much expected. Despite Sergi Roberto doing so well to slot into the position, he is not a defender by trade and sooner or later, Barcelona will have to go for a natural right-back. But, getting Glen Johnson would be nothing but a recipe for disaster. Even if he does move, it’s unlikely that he’d get consistent game time.
