Ben Johnson’s potential move to Crystal Palace could cause significant embarrassment for West Ham United. Several Premier League clubs are reportedly eager to sign Johnson on a free transfer at the end of the season, although Palace have moved to the front of the queue.
The West Ham defender didn’t feature in yesterday’s farewell match against Luton Town, and it’s understood that he has declined the club’s final offer to extend his stay. Johnson joined West Ham at the age of eight, progressing through the Hammers Academy.
Despite performing well when called upon as substitute this season, he has not enjoyed a consistent first-team run, despite his performances warranting it. With Crystal Palace genuinely interested, it’s highly likely that Johnson will be playing at right-back for the Eagles next season.
Given the style of football implemented by new Palace coach Oliver Glasner, Johnson is poised to thrive at Selhurst Park. West Ham left negotiations too late, and Johnson, who would have accepted a reasonable squad wage and a chance at regular playing time, has probably had his head turned by clubs who clearly value him more than the Hammers staff.
As a lifelong West Ham supporter, it’s unfortunate that the club couldn’t provide the assurances Johnson sought. It’s likely the Hammers will regret this decision next season if he excels elsewhere.
Johnson is an ok player but donāt think heāll ever set the world alight. Canāt see him ever being good enough to play for England. Now if we want to go up by a proverbial level then we need players of international quality in every position.
I can’t think of a young player who did better after leaving West Ham. I dont expect Ben to break that habit.
I guess you don’t really know your Hammers history then. How about these for starters: Ray Houghton, Junior Stanislas, Liam Ridgewell, Kieran Richardson, Paul Ince, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, and finally Declan Rice!
Except for Rice, nobody else over the last 15-20 years.
I did say just for starters. These West Ham Academy graduates have also left fairly recently and cemented regular 1st team football elsewhere, apart from Jamal who has been recovering from severe illness (who I send my best wishes to): Reece Burke, Josh Cullen, Toni MartĆnez, Reece Oxford, Grady Diangana, Armstrong Oko-Flex, Jamal Baptiste.
No big loss, he never looks fit enough, at best he’s a squad player
He refused a reasonable wage and demanded more than we were willing to pay. He was never close to a first team regular.
Moyes biggest failing: couldn’t build a squad. His philosophy is all about building a tight-knit team that plays for each other. He doesn’t really factor in injuries or loss of form.
Of value only as a squad player. His versatility may improve your squad but if he’s in your starting eleven then your starting eleven isn’t strong enough.
Would rather keep Johnson than have the useless Downes back.
Tell Southampton supporters that
Should have made Johnson a decent offer and play him as an attacking midfielder.
Fast, powerful but the errors he makes in defence wouldnāt matter.
He’s not getting ahead of Munoz or Mitchell in the Palace side, so he’ll be in the same situation he is at West Ham. Probably another Ngakia, Ashby, etc etc.
Johnson never ever good enough, negative sideways or back pass player, better than Coufel (no), played in midfield as a makeshift this season, nowhere near the mark.
He was offered a contract but another who listens to their agents!, got greedy for a bang on average player who in my eyes is not premiership standard, let him go and strengthen the squad with a better player, very much doubt he will embarrass us where ever he goes!
Gonzo do you ever have anything positive to say about West Ham
Gonzo do you support West Ham?
All you seem to do is make sly and negative comments all the time
Whether Johnson is good enough for Westham or not , other teams consider him to have value and as such he should have been given a good contract to protect his value instead of losing him for nothing . Could have sold him for 10 million .
Spot on. Another bit of bad business from the board. Sad to say Moyes is also complicit in allowing Johnson to go for free, when Johnson never disappointed when called upon to do a job for us. Moyes was unable to keep his players happy and apart from Rice most have been sold at a loss.
Excellent News , Johnson has never been and never will be a Premiership quality player.
What embarrassment? He’s not good enough and never has been.
He really is actually. Every time we don’t give a player a chance, the assumption is they’re no good instead of manager fawked up.
You’ve obviously never seen him play.
League 1 player .
All you hammers disrespecting a very good player. Like you did Tomkins. You were wrong then – and again now.
Tomkins went on to do absolutely nothing.
Tomkins played his part in keeping palace up when they were punching above there weight, only the last couple of years he hasnt played mainly becauce the palace centre backs dont get injured.
Never has been is going a little far. A few seasons back he looked the real deal but last season he was atrocious. This season, a bit part player heās been ok. But a squad player for me, at best: Ngakia, etc who thought they were better than they wereā¦ time will tell