OPINION
There are few more difficult challenges for a 19-year-old to face on his debut than the ferocious firepower of Manchester City – but that was exactly what West Ham’s Ben Johnson faced earlier this season.
Brought in from the reserves after an injury crisis left Manuel Pellegrini without a left back, the 19-year-old passed his test with flying colours, keeping the likes of Sergio Agero, Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane quiet for the majority of his first 63 minutes in the top flight.
However, the natural right back has not been seen in the senior side since taking on his makeshift role on the other side of the defence – a return to the reserves part of the harsh reality of professional football.
Now the Daily Star are reporting that the Hammers are looking for a new senior right back to make the move to east London this summer with the futures of Pablo Zabaleta and Sam Byram up in the air and Ryan Fredericks still not proven in the first team – but surely Johnson deserves a chance.
You only have to look at Declan Rice to see that youngsters are able to make the grade in the Premier League and judging from Johnson’s debut against one of the best sides the top flight has ever seen, he looks to be someone with a bright future ahead of him.
Yes, he might be lacking the experience of Zabaleta but with senior players alongside him, he will learn and grow at a much faster rate than being stuck in the reserves.
Pellegrini has got to hand him a chance to quell the need for a new arrival in east London.
