networker1884 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 He's been released by City after 3 years of doing nothing except getting fat. Pretty sad story imo. Michael Johnson, [url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jun/02/daniel-taylor-michael-johnson]once tipped as an England international and one of the best young players to emerge through [url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/manchestercity]Manchester City's academy in the past decade, has been paid off from his contract after the club finally ran out of patience with him. Johnson, convicted of two drink-driving offences last September, was offered a severance package from his £40,000-a-week contract just before Christmas, after several years of decline. The club decided not to announced it publicly but it has come to light now after a photograph of the 24-year-old appeared on the internet looking bloated and unfit. Once the subject of a £10m bid from Liverpool, the former England youth international has suffered a series of injury problems but he also caused considerable disquiet behind the scenes because of his attitude towards being a professional footballer and, specifically, his fondness for a night out. His last appearance for the club was as a second-half substitute in a Carling Cup tie against Ssausagehorpe in October 2009. Sven-Goran Eriksson once said he would not swap Johnson even for Steven Gerrard but the days when he was described as "the new Colin Bell", breaking into City's first team at the age of 18, were short-lived. Roberto Mancini and his predecessor, Mark Hughes, both concluded that Johnson did not have the personality to play football at the highest level. At one point City were so embarrassed by his unkempt state in his pen-pic club sources say the photographer was asked to come back to take it again. Johnson was moved to Leicester City two years ago, on a season-long loan that cost the Championship club £1m, but was signed off, then sent back, at the midway point. After that, almost nothing had been heard of him [url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/01/manchester-city-michael-johnson-arrested-drink]until he crashed his car, over the drink-drive limit, in Manchester last May. It was one of two occasions when he has been arrested for drink-driving in the space of three months, leading to a £5,500 fine and three-year driving ban. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/15/michael-johnson-released-manchester-city?CMP=twt_gu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Sign him up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Blimey http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/1/15/1358250202066/Michael-Johnson-now-and-i-008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DcFc Dyycheee Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Yeah, sign him up! BAo8o8eCYAAgnXn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DcFc Dyycheee Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Booo, beat me to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JW- Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I seem to recall him scoring against us in the prem when they beat us 1-0 at the Etihad. Him and Stephen Ireland were supposed to be 'the next big thing' 4 or 5 years ago. He is big now though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shake n Bake Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 He looks like Samwell Tarley in game of thrones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramexpat Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 talking about letting yourself go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudding Jack Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 that should put Hughes of moving to city. love Svens comments. "i wouldnt swap him for Gerrard" plank! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 what a tosser, he'll be at the top of westfield when he realises what a fool he has been Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CornwallRam Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 He'd add balance to the Forest team Andy Reid could sit at the front of the coach Michael Johnson at the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastKentRam Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Wow, that's mad what he looks like now. He'll probably realise what a **** he's been in a few years and resurface playing for Fleetwood or someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scarlet Pimpernel Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 How was a professional who is/was on the books of a league club able to get that way? Surely he was in each week monitored, body mass measured etc. For him to get like that is not only an inditement of him but also the club he was signed to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Hindge Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Man City dont come acrossas a team who cares for there youngsters, no excuse like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcdcfc28 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Him and Lee Camp; Sumo wrestling match at Wrestlemania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyinLiverpool Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 He was still getting paid 40 grand a week in that state? Why wasn't he sacked? If I got nicked for drink driving twice in the same month, what would happen to me? Utterly disgraceful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCFCfranco Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 he's got a decent fifa rating. could be the brick wall in midfield, after all he is the size of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackNwhites Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 What were his injuries? Wondered what happened to him, looked a real talent when he first broke on to the scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansea ram Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Someone send this to Will Hughes. This could be you if you go to Man City, so stay with Derby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bris Vegas Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Unfair to drag City into it, they've got a decent record of bringing through young players.. He's clearly just a bad apple that's completely let himself go by being unprofessional.. Every club has them.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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