When it comes to making your debut in the Premier League, there’s no place harder to be making your first appearance as a 19-year-old defender than away at Manchester City. However, the Hammers’ young Ben Johnson was sublime throughout, starting out as a left-back before being replaced by Pablo Zabaleta after 63 minutes.
Debuts don’t come much tougher than that. Great shift, Ben! pic.twitter.com/sFYVIcnYxW
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) 27 February 2019
At the age of just 19, Johnson is certainly not a household name. Most of the West Ham fans will have been aware of his progress and will have been looking at him a one to be nearing a breakthrough into the first team, however, the Hammers wouldn’t have been expecting to see Manuel Pellegrini chance him last night. The youngster was thrown in at the deep end and stood up to the task.
The Irons did a sublime job of keeping the score to just 1-0, and on another day they certainly could have nicked a point from the Premier League champions, much like they did against Liverpool at the London Stadium a few weeks ago. However, as it was Johnson will be looking back at his debut as a losing one, although he should hold his head high after his efforts and certainly didn’t play his way out of getting another few outings.
You can read the Hammers’ thoughts on their youngster here:
https://twitter.com/BeatTheBatak/status/1100884744986939392
Boy did good! great future.
— Matt Tilbo 😎 (@Tilbo_Tweets) February 27, 2019
A manager that plays our young players. Finally. Great job Ben
— Jack Elderton (@Jack_PBlue) 27 February 2019
Great back up on the left for Cresswell.
Did the best job he could considering who he had running at him
Ben has a bright future ahead of him
— #SBOUT #SBOUT (@TheIronHammer26) February 28, 2019
Well done that lad, couldn’t ask for a harder game to make your debut in and by the sounds of it he handled the pressure well
— Tom Guy (@TomGuy93) February 28, 2019
English Philipp Lahm
— Lee Woolward (@Leewoolward) February 27, 2019
Bright future ahead for him!
— Hayden Evz (@HaydenEvz) 27 February 2019
Even better when you consider he was constantly left 2 on 1 by Anderson
— Elliot Tyler (@ElliotTyler7) February 27, 2019
The Irons will be hoping to see more of the youngster when they face Newcastle on Saturday and they’ll be confident of Johnson making his spot in the team a permanent one.
