What a twat. Roberto Mancini says Adam Johnson has the ability to leave Sunderland and join another "top team". The England winger returns to Manchester City for the first time since his £10 million move on Saturday, and while Mancini reluctantly accepted that Johnson, whose opportunities at the Etihad Stadium were limited, had to leave, he believes the 25-year-old has the talent to take him back to another elite club. "He will do well for Sunderland and go to another top team because he deserves this," Mancini said. "I think Adam played well here. The problem may be that he didn't play always. For young players like him it is important to play every game. He is a good guy and a good player." Johnson only made ten Premier League starts for City last season and was used more as a replacement while David Silva and Samir Nasri became Mancini's first-choice players on the flanks. "I like Adam, but he wanted to play every game," the City manager added. "Here it was difficult." Last season Sunderland were the only visiting team to leave the Etihad Stadium with a point following a 3-3 draw, and Mancini, whose side went on to win the league on goal difference, believes the late goals scored by Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov proved crucial. He added: "Last year the point we did against Sunderland when we were 3-1 with five minutes to go was an important point in the league." Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/sport/story/173505.html?CMP=OTC-RSS#q4v4dukVoQxvV6Rd.99
Of course Johnson will be on the top teams radars if he has the couple of good seasons at Sunderland that most are expecting, I don't see the problem.
We are his bogey team and he is just a right cock end about it. He couldnt beat us last season and we were the only team that stopped them winning every home game and took more points off them than anyone else to kinda blight their championship. In fact, I'd have pissed myself if we had hung on for that win and stopped them winning the title as well. They have spent £100's of millions on building his team but couldnt beat ****ty little Sunderland in 2 attempts. I think we are up against it tomorrow but then again we were last season and took 4 points from them. johnson should go back there and give us a bit of an edge (inside knowledge and all that) and he will be desperate to perform in front of the manager that rejected him. Fletcher will just be Mr Cool Hand Luke again and we will always have a chance to score with him there. Looking forward to the game hugely.
Too be fair I think this has been taken out of context, I think he meant he would be ready for a top 4 side after a few seasons of regular football with you. He is a good attacking player who would get 10 to 15 goals a season playing regular football, I'd have much preferred you having him on a season long loan rather than a permanent deal! I've a lot of time for your lot and here's to a good game tomorrow
All he's said here really is that Man City are a top team and Sunderland aren't and he's entirely correct
I don't think anyone is taking issue with what he's said, it's more the fact that he's said it so publically, if that makes sense. I don't think anyone on here believes we are a "top team", and what he's saying is fair enough, but he shouldn't have come out in the press and belittled another football club. It's just disrespectful. Having said that, I do think some are making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill!
He's just trying to unsettle the lad before tomorrows game because he knows what he can do, not saying we will win tomorrow but it seems Mancini is a little bit wary of AJ and the lads. Like him I believe that AJ will be at a top club in a couple of years time as he will be great for us which will alert the top teams to how much City and Mancini ****ed up by letting him go.
Yeah I get what you mean, have to say it's probably all mind games as he probs doesn't want Johnson biting him in the arse tomorow, so trying to put him off his game! Bit uncalled for but he hasn't said anything out of order imo, I'm sure everyone here would agree that Johnson has the potential to play for a top 4 team!
You are off course there Cheick. Sorry, TopTearToon - Johnson has ability not potential and he could very well be at a top 4 club now.
? Have to disagree, as the vast majority with a brain will say, you need to prove yourself for a couple of seasons to be worthy of that. 2 seasons coming off the bench doesn't make you good enough for a top 4 team. After a couple of years at Sunderland I'm 95% sure he WILL have proved that, but not yet. In any case, if you are correct, then that makes Mancini's statement even more correct.
