DARNELL JOHNSON

AGE: 19 CLUB: LEICESTER POSITION: CENTRAL DEFENCE VALUE: £2M

WHAT’S HE GOT?

Looking closely at this young centre back, I see a big, square-shouldered, physical presence that may intimidate some strikers — not unlike his club captain Wes Morgan. When I saw him, he looked a little uncomfortable at first. He was playing as the left-side centre back and the opposing wide forward twice got into space between him and the left back in the early stages. He was then beaten for a third time by some astute movement. His partnership with Leicester’s other centre back looked well balanced on the whole, but the coach swapped their positions after that. Johnson moved to the right and was given the job of marking the opposition’s lone striker. He seemed more comfortable here, marking and winning all the headers down the middle. He showed a desire to tackle firmly and fairly. Later he was moved again: this time, he was asked to play right back and contain the opponents’ danger man, a left winger. Considering his struggles early on, one would have thought Johnson may have been exposed out wide but he stuck to his task diligently. He has fair pace but is better facing the play than having to turn and run back towards his own goal.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

Although well balanced, he will need to be sharper on his feet. Agility sessions will help that. His main asset is his powerful defending. ‘Thou Shalt Not Pass’ could well be his motto. His coach obviously trusts him to play right across the defensive line and, with a good leap, he will not be beaten to a cross when he has to compete. His blocking at the near-post area was crucial in this recent game and my own final verdict would be that he is best as an out-and-out No 5, winning the first ball and leading from the front. Maybe he is more a Terry Butcher, with a bit of technique, than he is his captain, Morgan. With Robert Huth injured and Morgan maybe past his best, there could soon be an opening as a partner for Harry Maguire in the first team.