Versatile and flexible - but Portsmouth new boy adamant his best position is right-back

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old possesses a background in versatility which may yet tempt his Blues manager to change his mind.

During his 119 appearances for Accrington, Johnson served as a central midfielder, on the left and right flanks and, of course, at right-back.

The former Middlesbrough man is adamant his best position remains the role Pompey recruited him for in a deal worth around £200,000.

Yet there are plenty of other strings to his bow, it seems.

Johnson told The News: ‘I played in the centre of midfield for the first 10-15 games after joining Accrington and also played out wide a few times.

‘But I am a full-back, that’s my position. I’ve played there 95 per cent of my career – and that’s where I think I am best.

‘I am versatile, I always was as a kid, I would play anywhere, but my best position is full-back and where I have featured the most in my career.

‘Versatility is important at Accrington, that’s why I played in different positions. There were injuries and the manager knew I would give 100 per cent in each position and do what he wanted me to.

‘I remember us going to Coventry in February 2018, with 28,000 there. I was asked to play on the left-hand side of midfield and got an assist after five minutes following a cross to Jordan Clark!

‘It was quite funny to be there because I was playing in completely the opposite position and up against their right-back. We won 2-0 as well.

‘I would like to think at Middlesbrough there was a lot of technical stuff which helped make me versatile. I was there for 13 years and can use my left foot when I need to.’

The Middlesbrough fan joined the club he supported at the age of eight and progressed through their ranks.

Yet he got as far as their under-23 side, making three appearances in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Now he has arrived at Pompey seeking to progress his career – as a right-back.

He added: ‘First and foremost, I am a defender, that’s my position. I enjoy defending and stopping the opposition from scoring.

‘On the other hand, I like to support attacks, join in with them and get forward to put good delivery into the box for the forwards.

‘The modern day full-back has to attack and defend, that is something that hopefully I can do here.

‘I pride myself on my defending just as much as my attacking. A lot of full-backs these days don’t really get judged on defending, which I disagree with.

‘You come up against some full-backs nowadays who are just out-and-out wingers. You want someone who can defend, especially in that position.’

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