Manchester City winger Adam Johnson has reacted to news of a
potential England call-up by insisting he still has plenty to
prove.
National team boss Fabio Capello revealed he has been
impressed by the Manchester City winger following his move from
Middlesbrough in February.
Johnson, 22, has never been called into an England squad but
could find himself in Capello's provisional 30-man line-up for the
World Cup, which he will name on May 16.
Johnson told the BBC's Football Focus: "I was playing in the
Championship in January and now people are talking about me playing
for England.
"It's nice hearing it but I'm still young. I just want to
push on and try to be the best player I can be. You've got to keep
your feet on the ground and not get too carried away."
Johnson came through Middlesbrough's academy and broke into
the team as a teenager playing on the left of midfield.
But the left-footer has been deployed on the right by City,
where he has put in a number of impressive performances.
With David Beckham definitely out of contention for the World
Cup, Aaron Lennon still struggling with injury and Theo Walcott and
Shaun Wright-Phillips not on top form, the door is open for Johnson
Capello said: "Adam Johnson [has caught my eye this season].
He's come up from the Championship at Middlesbrough, where he
played in a different position, and he's done well with Manchester
City.
"Now it's important he gets some international experience."
Capello also agreed with Carlo Ancelotti's observation that
England are a better bet at the finals than the pair's native
Italy.
Ancelotti felt the defending champions were going through a
transitional period while England had several players at the peak
of their powers.
Capello said: "I agree with that.
"We can play at the same level as all the finalists and when
I say that it means we can go far."
Current Azzurri boss Marcello Lippi is due to stand down
after the finals in South Africa but Capello indicated he was happy
with his current role and would return to media work when his
contract with England expires after the 2012 European
Championships.
"From my part there are no problems," he added.
"After that (2012), I will commentate just as I did before I
got England's call."
The 63-year-old refused to rule out a return to club
coaching, however.
"I am nevertheless always interested in new and fascinating
situations and difficult challenges," he said.
"Having been a national team coach, to guide a club is very
different but I don't close any doors."
