Adam Johnson linked with a move to Sunderland for £10m.

Brwned said:
Isn't that all just more to do with playing style than quality/effectiveness? Johnson drifts in a lot because he needs to be more involved than Lennon. I don't think that's better movement, and having someone who sticks to the touchline is very useful (and takes a lot more selflessness). He gets involved in the buildup more but then he gives the ball away an awful lot so again I'm not sure how much of a strength that is. As for picking a team-mate out with crosses I'd say Lennon's much better at that than he used to be (see him picking Bale out v Newcastle just this weekend) and is better than Johnson. He is a better goalscorer in fairness.

Bale's very "kick and run" but you've never mentioned that as a criticism of him, and you think he's a top player...
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Maybe - but he'smore capable of doing that than the likes of Lennon. he's comfortable on both sides, and decent through the middle when he needs to be - can also pick a decent pass. To me he seems a more intelligent player, although he clearly needs to tighten up and improve his end product. More games should help that.

Bale has good movement as well, but he is a bit "kick and run" - the difference for me is that he has plenty of end product and is physically very hard for teams to handle. I also think he has the raw attributes to keep developing and could become a really top player if he stays injury free.

Lennon has improved, and fair play to him, and if you want that kind of player you know what you're going to get. For me, in that position as part of a three you need to be able to contribute more than beat a man and sling in a cross. A player ike Johnson can come inside, or stay wide and may get a few more goals. Still - all amatter of opinion.
 
He is a very good player, surprised the dippers haven't been in for him half the price of Downing and a much better player in my opinion.
 
Signed for Sunderland. 4 yr deal. On their OS right now.
 
Good signing, smart move getting out of City while he could. Himself and McClean on the wings will pose a threat to most sides. They just need a striker to finish all the chances now and they'll be set.
 
Mighty Boosh said:
Good signing, smart move getting out of City while he could. Himself and McClean on the wings will pose a threat to most sides. They just need a striker to finish all the chances now and they'll be set.
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Steven Fletcher £14m.
 
Mighty Boosh said:
Good signing, smart move getting out of City while he could. Himself and McClean on the wings will pose a threat to most sides. They just need a striker to finish all the chances now and they'll be set.
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Were they planning on burying him in concrete or something?
 
Mighty Boosh said:
Ah yes somehow missed that transfer, not a particularly big fan of his and definitely not at that price but with Johnson, Sessegnon and McClean behind him he should be capable of scoring plenty.
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There aren't any other decent British players available and O'Neill has a transfer embargo on players who aren't British.
 
Sunderland will be up there with the Evertons and Newcastles and Liverpools if Saha stays fit and they get lucky with few injuries.
 
Fletcher will get good service from Johnson, Larsson and Sessegnon.

Definitely have overpaid in my book, but there could be plenty of goals in that front line.
 
Surprised why no bigger clubs - Tottenham, Newcastle, mid-table Liverpool, even Arsenal - went for him. I like Johnson, very fine footballer.
 
Im assuming City were not willing to sell to those currently fighting for CL places and they probably let Johnson know this.

I would have liked him at United a year or two ago cos IMO I think a left footed winger would be something that would help us. I know hes played on the right but I reckon having somebody like him driving to the touchline and whipping in crosses (rather than the usual cut back to right foot and get charged down) would be good for our strikers.
 
Speaking of left-footed players - is Büttner our first left-footed signing since Patrice Evra in January 2006?
 
Jaap said:
Speaking of left-footed players - is Büttner our first left-footed signing since Patrice Evra in January 2006?
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He's not even the first Dutch left footed player we've signed this year!
 
Not including a couple of the reserve signings (Van Velzen for one?) he's the last since Anderson. 4 years is quite a while actually.
 
Buttner and Van Persie should help with our penalty shoot-outs, if nothing else.
 
Nanderson said:
Buttner and Van Persie should help with our penalty shoot-outs, if nothing else.
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What? Left footed penalty takers are more predictable. Research has been done and it has been confirmed.
 
Thought a bigger club would be in for him, good player and good signing for sunderland.
 
He's wierdly overrated IMO, Sunderland is about his level.
 
It increases awareness.
That said.. paying a club like sunderland 20m/year for shirt sponsorship is weird.
 
Trionz said:
The part where brands think they get their name on football shirt & that will somehow boost their sales.
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It's the same for every company that sponsors a football kit.

I presumed you were a making a point that was more specific to Invest in Africa...
 
On his day, he's a very good player. Glad he left Citeh. O'Neill appreciates English players more as well. Will give him (and can afford) more time than Mancini.
 
I think he's a good player and one who can potentially be useful in the England setup, so now he's left City I hope he does well at Sunderland, but I don't think he's as great as many make him out to be.

I think he's destined to be one of those players who can shine at a mid table team but will never make it for one of the top sides.
 
Glad he's moved on. I think he could have done better than Sunderland though. Surprised the likes of Spurs and Liverpool weren't interested.
 
I always liked Johnson - think he did pretty well when picked but Mancini just didn't seem to think he suited them. I was actually a bit jealous when city snapped him up - would have liked him here when he was a young exciting kid at middlesborough.
 
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