Leeds United are one of a number of clubs being linked with a move for West Ham United defender Ben Johnson this summer, and we spoke to Hammers expert Tony Martin about a possible move.
Johnson, 24, looks set to leave West Ham this summer on a free transfer. The club he has played 109 times for, having joined the London side at the age of seven and coming through the Hammers academy.
The England U21 defender though, has never exceeded his role as fringe player. Often used as a utility player given his versatility and unable to hold down a position in the side, largely under David Moyes.
West Ham confirmed this week in their retained list that they are in talks to offer a new deal to Johnson. But The 49ers have been linked with signing Johnson on a free transfer, as have Scottish side Rangers.
We spoke to West Ham expert Tony Martin at Hammers News about Johnson. We discussed what has happened for Johnson to enter the last few weeks of his contract – and whether Leeds suits Johnson.
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West Ham expert on the type of player Johnson is, his contract
Martin spoke to LeedsUnited.news about the defender and said that Johnson was a shining light in the academy, but has tailed off over the last couple of years with his quality on the pitch now an issue.
“He was rated incredibly highly when he came through, but he regressed badly in the last 2 years. Hugely frustrating because he has all of the tools. Looked like the real deal but is a shadow of his former self now.
“His positional awareness is absolutely abysmal, he tends to go to sleep during games. It’s no surprise he only played 530 minutes for us in the Premier League this season,” Martin continued, on Johnson.
Hammers expert on whether Johnson is a good signing for Leeds
Leeds need a right-back, with Connor Roberts and Luke Ayling departing permanently. Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton are out of contract as things stand and Archie Gray is naturally a central midfielder.
Johnson of course, can also play left-back, centre-back and in midfield and they are areas in which Daniel Farke requires added depth. But Martin is not so sure he would be confident signing him, if a Leeds fan.
“Perhaps he could rekindle his career with you guys. The Championship is probably his level, if I’m honest, I don’t think I’d want him playing for my team if we were chasing promotion to the Premier League.”
Reports claim that Hammers defender Johnson wants to remain in the top tier of English football despite his lack of game time at West Ham this season, and his supposed lack of quality according to Martin.
That means Leeds and Rangers lack much chance of a deal, while his £33,000 a week wages could also prove to be an issue for The Whites. But Leeds are interested and it might be a bit of a waiting game.