Adam Johnson says he is happy that he remains in Roberto Mancini‘s plans after the Manchester City manager dismissed speculation linking the winger with a move away from the club.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a loan switch to Sunderland or Everton but Mancini, speaking at the Dublin Super Cup on Saturday, insisted the England international would ‘100 per cent’ remain a City player this season.
Johnson admits he does not always see eye to eye with the Italian but reacted positively to the news that he remains in Mancini’s plans as City look to mount a Premier League title challenge.
He said: “Obviously, it’s nice when the manager is saying stuff because when you get linked with other teams, you think you’re not part of the plans. It’s happened to plenty of players over the years.
“It’s brilliant that he’s come out and said that I’m part of his plans.
“Since I came here, I think under the gaffer I’ve definitely come on as a player.
“I’ve had conversations with him and sometimes I agree with him and sometimes I don’t, but that’s the same with everyone.
“We have little conversations and he knows if I don’t think he’s right but he’s brought me on since I came.
“He wants everything to be right and wants to win every game. He gets the finer things right. That’s shown in how well we did last season and I think we should have done even better.”
Sixteen of Johnson’s 31 Premier League appearances last season came as a substitute but the former Middlesbrough man believes all City players must accept rotation as a consequence of the strong squad that has been assembled at the Etihad Stadium.
“I think with the players we buy and the squad we’ve got, 90 per cent of the players know they’re not going to play every game,” Johnson added. “It’s just part of being a massive club.
“I think if two people can play in every position that’s one thing, but any more and it’s difficult to get a game.
“At the minute our squad is really strong. This season we’re more motivated than ever.”
New signing Sergio Aguero is set to make his first appearance in a City shirt against Inter in Dublin on Sunday and Johnson is excited but the quality of players arriving at the club.
“When you play with world class players it brings you on as a player yourself,” Johnson added.
“I haven’t really seen much of him Aguero. I trained with him on Friday but he’s a world class player and I think we’ll see what he’s all about this season.
“Just watching in training players like this I sometimes think you can learn more from that than the coaches.”