"I'm not sure they have the tools": Glen Johnson on Stoke City, England and the Premier League

In a career spanning seven clubs, sixteen years, and over fifty England caps, Glen Johnson has lived and breathed football his whole life. In this exclusive interview, he talks about the new Premier League season, Stoke City and their ambitions, England's World Cup chances and his predictions for the season ahead.

Raheem Sterling has made his move now from Man city to Chelsea. Did this move surprise you and how big of a signing is it for Chelsea?

"It surprised me at the beginning that City were willing to let Sterling go. Obviously he’s a fantastic player and of course if he was available, it doesn't surprise me that Chelsea were interested and I think they have a fantastic player on their hands.

As long as they get him enjoying his football and enjoying life, then they will have a world class player on their hands."

What are your thoughts on the job that Thomas Tuchel has done so far?

"Tuchel has done a great job. At the beginning, people thought it was harsh that Frank Lampard had been sacked and I personally thought it was a bit too soon to sack him.

Everyone was then raving about Tuchel at the beginning of his Chelsea career because they won four on the bounce but they were four easy games. After that, he impressed me massively.

The players love him and he shows great attitude and energy on the sidelines. He’s done a fantastic job and if he gets the players that he wants then I could see him being at Chelsea for a very long time."

What would a realistic league outcome for Chelsea be?

"I can’t see Chelsea being good enough at the moment to win the league. As long as they bridge the gap and remain competitive for the last 25 percent of the season then I think they would take that. They will get top 4 and as long as there is some sort of improvement and the gap is closed from City and Liverpool then that would be a good season."

Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool this summer. Is he a strong enough replacement for Sadio Mane?

"Mane will be impossible to replace. I don’t think they got Nunez to replace Mane, but they’re going to have to find a way to get him playing. I think they would like to have signed him and kept Mane so I don’t think he’s a replacement but he’s certainly a good player. Like Diaz, if he can get going as a world class player and look like he’s been there for years, then there is no doubt he will be a success. Liverpool know what they are doing with these players."

What do Liverpool need to do to close the gap on Man City?

"Liverpool didn’t do much wrong last season. It's just unfortunate they are up against City at the moment. I can’t say where they have to improve but they just have to lose one less game. The points that Liverpool are getting are good enough to win any league at the moment, so I think it could come down to their head to head games."

Mikael Silvestre recently suggested that Man United aren’t an attractive prospect anymore. Would you agree and would you say Liverpool are a more attractive prospect currently?

"At the moment, 100 percent. It's a no brainer. There was a period where players would want to go to United but those days are gone. United are miles away from being an attractive prospect and are miles behind Liverpool."

Declan Rice has been linked previously with moves to Liverpool and Man United. It appears he’ll be staying at this window though. How important is he for West Ham?

"He’s huge. No team wants to lose their best player. He’s the main man and is the key to everything they do but I think we all know the clock is ticking for his time being at West Ham."

Do you think Chelsea should be targeting Declan Rice this summer?

"Yes, I think so. They’re quite active this window and everyone knows they are interested in Rice. If they really wanted to do it they would have done it already, and I find it strange that it is taking so long."

Is Michael O’Neil good enough to take Stoke up?

"He can only work with what he’s got. He’s a good manager but the squad isn’t amazing. I think if they get the games right and the tactics right then I think he can be good enough to take them up.

It's a tough league and whoever goes on the best run towards the end. I’m not sure they have the tools to do that and I’m not sure they have those two or three players to help them make the step up."

Thoughts on Southgate after a recent dip in form and will he ever lead England to silverware?

"He’s done a great job. Then lads are enjoying playing for England again and he’s got a great squad. After getting to a final and a semi-final, I think they are on the right track and age is on their side, so I don’t see why they can’t take things a step further and win something."

Who should be starting for England: Reece James or Trent Alexander-Arnold?

"It's difficult to pick one over the other because they’re both good at different things. Trent is good over dead balls and is a threat going forward, but I would say Reece James is a better defender so I would say it's a great option as you could play them both depending on the game. If you are up against a team that will sit back you would probably go with Trent, but if you’re about to play a game where you will be under the cosh a bit then you might want to play Reece. I think it’s a good idea to have both."

How do you think Ten Hag will get on at Manchester United?

"He has a tough job on his hands. They have a good squad with fantastic individuals but it is a tough job. It's a fantastic club and one of the biggest in the world but he needs to get them playing as a team. It will be tough and he’ll be up against it but he has the ammunition to turn them around."

How dangerous could Aston Villa be next season?

"They’ll take anything around the 6th spot I imagine. They will want to compete and push it as far down the line as they can but you don’t expect them to be threatening the top 4. They had a good season last year so there’s no reason why they can’t kick on again."

How good is Philppe Coutinho?

"He’s a great signing. I said before they signed him that if you get the opportunity, you have to sign him. If you get him enjoying himself, he’s a proper footballer. The way he thinks and the way he moves makes him a great technician. It's no surprise to me that he took it by storm last season."

What is this issue with Manchester United?

"It's not about signing people, as they have already been signing people for a lot of money who are apparently at the top of their game but it's just not working. I think they have some good individuals; they just need to find a way of playing.

They don’t play as a team and if I asked you what style of play they have, I don’t think you can answer it. They just seem to pick 11 players and that’s nowhere near good enough if you are trying to close the gap."

Where will Cristiano Ronaldo end up?

"It depends on why you’re signing him. I don’t think he would improve the starting 11 as he won’t play every week. If you’re buying him as a commercial deal though, then he’s a big attraction so it would depend on why you are signing him."

Would you say Lukaku is the worst signing in Chelsea history and what went wrong for him?

"At the moment, yes, purely because of the amount of money, the size of the deal and just how bad it was. I just think the Premier League is too fast for him. When he’s at his best, he just tries to keep things simple, he doesn’t get involved in the game too much and he’s between the goalposts and doesn’t move.

In the last few years though, he’s been trying to become a footballing striker which he isn’t good at. I think he needs to get back to basics and realize what he’s good at. He’s more than capable and can score goals but I think he was trying to do too much in the wrong areas."