Ben Johnson reacts to West Ham sack decision on David Moyes after Europa Conference League final snub
Ben Johnson has admitted he was “gutted” to be left out of the West Ham line up for the trophy-winning triumph against Fiorentina, but is hopeful of further opportunities now David Moyes has avoided the sack.
The versatile defender made 17 appearances in total across the campaign, including six in the run to European glory, but was left on the bench following the quarter-final first leg draw in Gent.
He was a target for Everton in the January transfer window and i News reported on 7 June that there is still interest at Goodison Park, but the 23-year-old has backed the newly-secure Moyes as one of the club’s “best” and sounds like he plans to stay an Iron as well.
Johnson told the Evening Standard: “I was gutted not to play in the semi-finals or final. But I contributed in the early stages in some crucial games which got us there. I really did feel part of the team.
“I still can’t believe the parade. The support from the fans was unbelievable and just didn’t seem real. To be a part of that history, all my hard work since the age of seven has paid off.”
With the trophy win having secured Moyes’ future at the London Stadium [Guardian, 14 June] after a season where he came under sustained sack pressure, Johnson has reacted to the Scot now staying.
He added: “He will go down as one of West Ham’s best managers. I would have loved him to play me more, if I’m being honest. I feel I’ve impressed him enough to warrant more opportunities, but that’s football, and we’ll see what the plan is for me.
“When another final comes, hopefully I’ll be playing in it.”
Hopeful
Whether by luck or design the Europa Conference League trophy vindicated the board sticking with Moyes through a Premier League relegation battle.
He looks set to be handed more cash in the transfer market in an attempt to overhaul the squad for a second summer running, after the business 12 months ago that apparently derailed the good work he had done previously.
Whether they means there are the requisite opportunities for Johnson to feature is open to question as he has been in and out of the side in similar fashion for the past three campaigns.
He is a useful player in his own right, and managers always value versatility, but with Emerson looking like he has put himself in place to be the man who takes over from Aaron Cresswell full time on the left, and Vladimir Coufal’s form improving to keep him in place on the right, the time might come that Johnson is minded to seek more first-team football elsewhere.
If everyone is fit in the current squad it would be a surprise if the academy product got the nod for the starting XI in another major match like a final currently, even before Moyes makes further signings this summer.
Johnson has made the right noises and he deserves credit for not making a waves in the media, but his disappointment is clear at not being selected more.
So unless Moyes reacts to the his close call with the sack this season to change his outlook on some players the defender may be left feeling the same and there will come a point he has to do what’s best for his own career.