Johnson dismisses exit talk

England defender insists he isn't aware of any interest

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 8th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Johnson dismisses exit talk

Johnson: Owes Pompey

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Glen Johnson has stressed that his future lies with Portsmouth after his impressive form last season has seen him linked with a move away from Fratton Park.

Many expect the 24-year-old to move on to bigger and better things this summer with Tottenham, Liverpool and a move to former club Chelsea mooted.

But the England international acknowledges that if it wasn't for his move to Pompey in August 2007 he would not currently find himself as Fabio Capello's number one right-back.

The former West Ham youngster banished any rumours of an exit in January when he penned a new four-and-a-half year deal and Johnson admits that he has not heard of any interest this time around.

"My future is there (Portsmouth) at the moment," he told the Daily Express. "No one has spoken to me, nothing has been said.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm a Portsmouth player and I will be."

Brought the love back

Johnson has bounced back from a disappointing spell at Chelsea when he signed for £6million to become the first signing of the Roman Abramovich era in 2003; so much so that a return to Stamford Bridge is considered a realistic proposition.

However if it is anything like his first spell in West London it seems the defender will decide against a return to the Blues.

"It was a not that I lost confidence at Chelsea," he added. "I wasn't given a chance. Playing one game in six weeks is no good for anybody.

"It was a bit crazy really. I was frustrated every day and Pompey brought the love back. Harry (Redknapp) signed me and playing week-in, week-out helped me."

Johnson endured a turbulent 75 minutes against Kazakhstan at the weekend for England before he was replaced by David Beckham, but the game marked his fifth consecutive match under Capello and he admits that playing consistently at club level has helped him.

"I'm over the moon with that," he stated. "That's made me want to keep the shirt for as long as I can.

"I've benefitted from playing virtually every game with Pompey. That was one of the main reasons I signed."