Johnson would quit City
Winger admits that he will not accept bench role
Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it.Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson has confirmed that he would be ready to quit Manchester City if he can not command a first-team place.
Since moving from Middlesbrough in January, the 23-year-old winger has emerged as one of the best attacking players in the country.
But despite his good form, which has seen him emerge as a regular in the England squad, he is far from being first choice at Eastlands under Roberto Mancini.
When Johnson joined City from Boro, he stated that he was playing catch-up having played understudy to Stewart Downing for many years at The Riverside.
Now Johnson is far less patient and looks unlikely to accept a substitutes' role at City.
"Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it," said Johnson when asked whether he would quit City.
Johnson was on the bench for the recent Manchester derby, which was a big frustration to him, saying: "It is disappointing when you are not playing from the start in games like that.
"I was itching to get on. I was dying to play from the start not just come on.
"The manager has to make decisions but I was gutted to be left out.
"With the players we have it will be a rotation but I am full of confidence and I just want to be playing.
"I have got to train and get on with it, nothing is going to change. I have to keep the right frame of mind and get in the team because I want to play for the national team as well.
"I like attacking, scoring goals and creating goals and pleasing the fans. When I play I just want to excite fans and give them something to watch."
Tactics
Johnson admits that Mancini is focused on making sure City are hard to beat, which has been evident in their two successive home goalless draws against Manchester United and Birmingham City.
"A lot of the players are attacking-minded players and want to attack," he told The Sun.
"But I think what has been important to the manager is getting the shape right and working on our defensive shape.
"It has been about not conceding goals first and keeping clean sheets and then maybe nicking one."
"We have not been playing great or attractive football but we are getting results. If we can stay in the pack until after Christmas who knows what we can do.
"Maybe we could win it. There is loads of football to be played, we are not a million miles off the top.
"The top four are capable of beating each other and slipping up. We just have to keep winning games and if we are there or thereabouts we have a chance.
"We have definitely got to be pushing to stay where we are until after Christmas and then see what we are capable of doing."
Ben Mee has admitted being called up for the England Under-21s is one of the proudest moments of his career, though he found out in a somewhat unusual way.
The City defender has had a terrific last few months having made his senior debut at West Brom in the Carling Cup and now being selected for Stuart Pearce’s team, but he discovered he was in the squad to face Germany from a text!
“A friend called me up to say I’d been called up,” smiled Mee. “I didn’t believe him so I put on Sky Sports and there it was.
“It was a different way to find out, I suppose because when I’ve played for England at other age levels I’ve usually had a letter, but I’m not complaining. I’m really chuffed because this is a big thing for me.
“There were several things I hoped to achieve this season and playing for City’s first team and the Under-21s were at the top of the list, so I’m really happy.”
Mee, who has been in excellent form at Elite Development Squad level this season has already played for England at Under 18, 19 and 20 levels and will be joined by former Academy team-mate Kieran Trippier.
“It’s good that Kieran’s in the squad, too,” he said.
Obviously Micah was in the original squad but he’s made it into the senior group and I’m really pleased for him
Mee’s only previous contact with Stuart Pearce came around four years ago, but he’s not forgotten it. He said: “I’d broken my leg for the second time in pre-season and would have been around 15 or 16 at the time.
“I was at home when I got a call from Stuart Pearce who was City’s manager at the time. He asked how I was and told me I’d soon be playing again, which was really nice because I was still an Academy junior.
“I hope I get to play some part of the game against Germany. It’s just a shame my parents can’t be there. I made my first ever appearance for England against Germany for the Under-18s so it’s strange to be back here with the Under-21s.
“If I play I’ll just do my best and hope there are more caps to come.”
Dzeko rules out January Wolfsburg exit
Wolfsburg's star striker Edin Dzeko has again dismissed rumours linking him with a January move away from the Bundesliga outfit.
The 24-year-old Bosnia international remains the centre of frenzied speculation, with Manchester City reported to be lining up a missive bid for Dzeko's services.
However, the talented frontman told Kicker-Sportmagazin: "I have been saying that I am fully focused on Wolfsburg for the current season.
"That is what I am still doing. I don't see the point in thinking about a transfer.I am aware of the speculation, I am aware of almost every rumour.
"I know I have not said much with regard to a transfer, but I have not agreed anything. I have not signed anything with any of the clubs mentioned.
"Reading stories about me moving to this club or that club is really making me laugh. They are not true."
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