Source: Daily_Mail
Man City's Adam Johnson hopeful of staking a late World Cup claim
Eye on the prize: Adam Johnson has high hopes of making a late surge into the World Cup squad[LNB]Adam Johnson woke up to a peculiar mix of headlines on Thursday. [LNB]While the sports pages carried encouraging comments from Fabio Capello about the chances of Manchester City's uncapped winger going to the World Cup, the gossip columns were linking him romantically with a lesbian character from Coronation Street.[LNB]Life in the Barclays Premier League spotlight has certainly brought about some changes for the 22-year-old from Sunderland.[LNB]Little over two months ago, Johnson sat at City's Carrington training complex after completing a £7million deadline-day move from Middlesbrough and was largely overlooked as manager Roberto Mancini faced a barrage of questions over Wayne Bridge's reaction to John Terry having an affair with his ex-girlfriend.[LNB]On Thursday he sat on his own at the same table very much the centre of attention a regular in City's starting line-up ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby that could help cement City's place in the Champions League, and an England international- in-waiting with the World Cup just around the corner.[LNB]Now the questions were about his private life, and an alleged flirtatious encounter with actress Brooke Vincent Sophie Webster in the Street's first lesbian storyline when he joined some team-mates on the catwalk for a charity fashion show in Manchester this week.[LNB]'I'm not used to that sort of stuff coming from Middlesbrough,' said Johnson sheepishly.[LNB]The texts started earlier from friends and family in the North East. So were they asking about Capello or Corrie? 'Both, actually,' was the answer.[LNB]It was clear which Johnson felt more comfortable with. Not for the first time the England coach had singled him out, and it seems likely he has a chance to stake his claim for a World Cup place when Capello's side face Japan and Mexico next month. The odds of him going to South Africa were cut to 11-10.[LNB]'It's brilliant to hear that coming from the England manager,' said Johnson. 'Now I've got a big game on Saturday to try to justify his praise.[LNB]'A lot has happened in a short space of time, from me being in the Championship with Middlesbrough to possibly going to the World Cup with England. I believe in my own ability and I'm quite confident I can force myself into the squad. [LNB] Reason to cheer: Johnson is loving life at Eastlands and his form proves it[LNB]'My main aim is to play for England. I don't think it gets any higher than that.'[LNB]With David Beckham out, Aaron Lennon still to return from a long injury lay-off and Johnson keeping Shaun Wright-Phillips out at City, he has emerged as an attractive option for Capello, who will be at Eastlands on Saturday to run the rule over him.[LNB]The England Under 21 star is playing a lot more first-team football than another candidate, Theo Walcott, after stepping into Robinho's shoes in a formidable forward line alongside Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy.[LNB]Mancini signed him in the transfer window on the advice of his coaching staff and a selection of DVDs. Judging by Johnson's appearance record since, the Italian is glad he did.[LNB]International class: Johnson has starred for the England Under-21 team[LNB]'I came here to give myself the best chance,' said Johnson. 'The World Cup only comes round every four years and I thought when the chance came up to join City, 'It's now or never'. Everything has changed so quickly. [LNB]'I'm loving it at City, I love the way we play and I've got the possibility of Champions League football to look forward to.[LNB]'It's given me the chance to show people what I can do on thebiggest stage. England is a different thing and, of course, the WorldCup is a one-off tournament. But I think I'm confident enough to takethe step up if I get the chance.'[LNB]Johnson could have joined Real Madrid. Former Spurs boss Juande Ramos was keen to take him to the Bernabeu. [LNB]'I was only 19 but it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moves Iprobably wouldn't have been able to say no to,' he said. Liverpool andManchester United were also interested.[LNB]He aims to help City take a step to a top-four finish tomorrow whiledelivering what could be a fatal blow to United's title hopes. [LNB]Johnson was still at Boro when City lost 4-3 in September and thenwent out of the Carling Cup semi-final to their neighbours, but heknows what victory would mean, particularly to former United strikerTevez.[LNB]He said: 'If you asked Carlos, he'd take all his goals away to scorethe winner on Saturday. Any team will regret selling a player of hisquality given the number of goals he's scored. He's got even strongersince he came here. He's tried harder to prove a point and he'sdefinitely done that.[LNB]'The 4-3 defeat is burning inside a few people. I wasn't involvedbut the lads who were there will definitely want to put one over onUnited after that match.' [LNB] [LNB] Antonio Valencia doesn't wear the iconic No 7 shirt but he has filled Cristiano Ronaldo's boots brilliantlyMadchester mayhem must stop: City and United warned over derby-day anticsRooney fights with Drogba, Tevez and Fabregas for Player of the Year awardBlanc set for France job as Advocaat quits Belgium for Russia hot seatRoberto Mancini free to guide Manchester City against United after landing suspended £20,000 fine for clash with David MoyesMANCHESTER CITY FC
