One of the players Leeds United were linked with in the January transfer window was West Ham United full-back Ben Johnson.
On January 11, The Athletic reported that Leeds wanted to sign Johnson on a loan deal from West Ham.
Leeds United linked with January move for Ben Johnson
The report noted that Leeds, who are aiming to win automatic promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season, had an interest in Neco Williams as well, but Nottingham Forest were reluctant to offload him.
The Athletic added that the West Yorkshire club held an interest in Connor Roberts of Burnley too. The 28-year-old Wales international right-back did make the move to Leeds on a loan deal.
I can understand why Leeds wanted a loan deal for Johnson. With Djen Spence not having a great impact and eventually leaving, head coach Daniel Farke needed to sign a replacement right-back, and Johnson did fit the bill. Luke Ayling had also left for Middlesbrough.
The 24-year-old can play as a right-back or as a full-back, and, according to The Athletic, the Englishman, “has also been utilised in midfield previously in his career”.
Johnson did not move to Leeds or to any other club in the January transfer window and is still at West Ham.
Ben Johnson impresses for West Ham United
The full-back started for the Hammers against Manchester United away from home at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.
However, instead of playing at right-back or at left-back, Johnson was deployed on the right of an attacking midfield-three in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Johnson played for the entire 90 minutes, and although the Red Devils won 3-0, the West Ham Ham-centric media was impressed.
The London Evening Standard gave Johnson 6 out of 10 for his performance and wrote: “Surprisingly deployed on the right wing but gave a decent account, including a couple of well-hit efforts from range.”
WestHamZone noted that Johnson “was one of West Ham’s better performers as he looked to at least make something happen,” adding that “incredibly, he was used on both wings and at full-back, highlighting his versatility”.
90min gave the West Ham player 7 out of 10 and praised him for his “energy and movement”, while Claret and Hugh said that Johnson was the Hammers’ “biggest attacking threat in the first half.”
Johnson took three shots and one was on target, had a pass accuracy of 94.4%, took 66 touches, attempted one dribble, made one tackle, two interceptions and one clearance, and put in eight crosses.
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