Having looked like he was going stale at Chelsea, Johnson kick-started his career at Pompey and is now back at the top
The marauding right-back has finally started to fulfill his promise.
A graduate of West Ham’s academy, he was one of Roman Abramovich’s first Chelsea signings, the Russian paying £6 million for the then-19-year-old in July 2003.
Unable to win a regular spot, Johnson linked up with a familiar face in ex-Hammers boss Harry Redknapp at Pompey. A successful loan spell in 2006/07 was made permanent for 2007/08 and Johnson’s confident, all-action displays, particularly towards the end of the campaign were crucial to a season climaxing in FA Cup success.
He continued his progress in 2008/09, winning an international recall and cementing himself as Fabio Capello's first choice right back.
A string of dynamic yet solid performances for club and country drew interest from several top sides, including former club Chelsea, but Anfield was to prove his next port of call. Can he make the kind of impact he failed to at Stamford Bridge?