Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is a product of the successful City Youth Academy. The fair haired creative midfielder made his way into the injury and suspension struck City midfield during the 2006/07 season. And in the absence of Micah Richards he also Captained the FA Youth Cup runners-up team during the 2005/06 season, after scoring the winning goal in the 3-2 semi-final away leg against Newcastle United.

Michael made his full City debut away at Wigan on October 21, 2006 where City was trashed 0-4. His second outing was more memorable as he put in an impressive performance in the vital 2-0 away win at Middlesbrough in March 2007. This marked the start of a run of seven consecutive first team appearances which was only ended by a hamstring injury in April. All in all he made it to 10 games for City during his first year, and was a whisker away from scoring his first Premiership goal with a header at White Hart Lane on the final day of the season.

Michael played twice for the England Under 19 side and was in the provisional squad for the U-21s, but did not make the final cut for the European Championships in the summer of 2007. It may have proved to be a big mistake by the former City Manager Stuart Pearce not to include the youngster for the finals as Johnson was soon to show his true potential merely weeks after England crashed out of the tournament.

Under Sven-Göran Erikssons guidance the 19 year old Johnson was established as a regular in an impressive City side, striking a great partnership with the experienced Dietmar Hamann in centre of midfield. Soon he recieved rave critiques all over for his commitment and performance and was hushed back into the U-21 fold by Pearce. Johnson was resembled by the fans with the great Colin Bell, and it was not only his physical appearance and moves with the ball that brought back good memories. He showed himself as an industrous box-to-box player, and just like the former Maine Road idol he proved to have great finishing abilites to go with his stamina.

Johnson scored two winners during the opening 6 games of the 2007/08 season and was soon attracting interest from other clubs in the Premiership. City had already turned down a bid from Liverpool before the start of the campaign, but by now also Arsenal was reportedly monitoring the youngsters progress. However City will be unwilling to sell the home grown gem, who is seen by the fans as a potential replacement of the player that was lost to a Martin Buchan tackle in 1975.

Playing Record:

Season:	Club:	LEA	LEG	FCA	FCG	LCA	LCG	ECA	ECG	TOA	TOG
2006-2007	Manchester City	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
2007-2008	Manchester City	23	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	25	2
2008-2009	Manchester City	3	0	0	0	1	0	4	0	7	0
Total:		36	2	0	0	3	0	4	0	43	2

LA = League Attendances. LG = League Goals.
FCA = FA Cup Attendances. FCG = FA Cup Goals.
LCA = League Cup Attendances. LCG = League Cup Goals.
ECA = European Cup Attendances. ECG = European Cup Goals.
TOA = Total Attendances. TOG = Total Goals