Exclusive interview with Andrew Johnson

15th October 2025 Fruity king

Mikel Arteta deserves a Premier League title with Arsenal, Olivier Glasner’s links away from Crystal Palace are no surprise, Marc Guehi is a modern-day role model, Tom Brady’s experience brings positive changes to Birmingham, I never had the chance to join Celtic or Rangers.

Speaking exclusively with Fruity King, ex-England international Andrew Johnson has given his thoughts on the Premier League Crystal Palace, Birmingham and beyond.

Johnson has also explained what Mikel Arteta was like as a team-mate at Everton, and why David Moyes could bring the Toffees back into European contention.

He has also discussed the future of Adam Wharton, the future of Olivier Glasner, whether he ever had the chance to join Celtic or Rangers and more.

Q: You were Everton’s record signing like Alexander Isak is at Liverpool, does that bring extra pressure?

“As a player, you just crack on and do your job, you have to be professional. Transfer fees are staggering now and they do bring added pressure, especially with big clubs like Liverpool or Everton, fans expect you to hit the ground running.

“You don’t get much grace or bedding-in time. So, yes, there’s pressure with a transfer fee, but as a player, you concentrate on your own game, have self-belief, and hopefully, slot into your new team’s formation.”

Q: How have you seen Michael Olise progress since he joined Crystal Palace?

“Michael Olise is an amazing player. To be on the Ballon d’Or list, getting all this credit, scoring goals, and providing assists — he’s fantastic. His backstory is also really nice, especially how Palace gave him the platform to reach the next level.

“He’s a great player, really good to watch. I follow a bit of German football, so it’s nice to see his highlights and how well he’s doing.”

Q: How impressed have you been with Adam Wharton?

“Adam Wharton is great, honestly. He’s incredibly mature for his age in the way he plays. In the quarters, semis, and FA Cup final last year, and then the Charity Shield, he was absolutely unbelievable, man of the match in a couple of them.

“For me, considering what he does, he’s just so mature. You wouldn’t think he’s that young, coming from where he’s come from.

“He just seems so level-headed and such a great lad. I’ve heard really good things about him; I’ve heard he’s an amazing character.”

Q: Has Olivier Glasner surpassed all expectations at Crystal Palace?

“He struggled a bit when he first went in, but since then he has done an amazing job. It’s not surprising that he’s been talked about going to different clubs. He’s built an amazing culture, and the team plays some great football.

“In Europe, I think they were a little hard done by with how it was dealt with. It should have been the Europa League, but they’re a great team, and they’re doing really well. The manager is brilliant, and it will be good to see how far they go this season.”

Q: How pleased are you to see Crystal Palace playing in Europe?

“They deserved it in all those games against Aston Villa and Liverpool. They played really well and were the better team on the day.

“They deserved the results, so they’re not there by luck, they’re there by consistency. They showed that consistency last season, and hopefully, they can do the same again this year.

“Playing in Europe is a totally different experience, and I’m sure it’d be great for the players and the fans.”

Q: How big was it for Crystal Palace that they kept Marc Guehi?

“He’s great for Crystal Palace. He’s an idol, a modern-day role model. The way he dealt with everything, his mindset, and his incredible performances for Palace, he deserves massive hats off. He’s a modern-day pro, a modern-day idol, for sure.

“He will be so important for Palace this season, especially in Europe.”

Q: Is Roy Hodgson missed in the game since he stepped away from management?

“Roy Hodgson is unbelievable. He’s a massive miss to the game. He was huge for football, his character, his management skills, and what he’d done for England.

“I know he had a bit of a shorter spell at Liverpool, but what he’d done at Fulham and Palace and all of the other clubs that he’s worked at in England, he’s an absolute credit to the game.

“You don’t actually realise how many languages he speaks and how many clubs he’s managed, and national teams, and yeah, it’s an absolute huge achievement and certainly one of the best of all time for sure.”

Q: How good would it be to see Birmingham City in the Premier League?

“It would be great to see Birmingham City back in the Premier League. When I was at Birmingham, we were always that Championship club that kind of crept into the playoffs but didn’t quite make it through.

“And then, the year we did make it through with Steve Bruce, I ended up leaving and going to Palace. So look, it’d be great to see a club in a city as big as Birmingham back up in that kind of top flight. It’s a huge club.

“I have some fond memories of being there. It was some of my youth, catching two or three buses to train in. It kind of made me as a player and made me as a person. So yeah, it’s a great club and yeah, it’d be great to see them back up there for sure.”

Q: Is having a winner like Tom Brady around a positive for Birmingham?

“Tom Brady’s experience and achievements in sport will undoubtedly bring positive changes to the club. It’s great to see his financial backing in Birmingham, and hopefully, they can achieve promotion.

“I haven’t been to St. Andrew’s in a long time, so it would be good to attend a game at some point.”

Q: Did you see Mikel Arteta being a future manager?

“I think you always look at players and, and kind of think, yeah, it hasn’t surprised me that they’ve gone into management. You look at Lee Carsley and look at Mikel Arteta and you always knew that they had the passion and the fight in them. They’re incredible people.

“It was great to play with them. Great to play with Mikel. He was a talented player. He was an absolute delight to play with, playing off that right-hand side of me up front with Yakubu.

“We had a great team at Everton, a fantastic team, and yeah, I wish him all the best. He’s doing a great job. I think he’s fantastic.”

Q: Will Mikel Arteta keep going until he wins the Premier League with Arsenal?

“I’m an Arsenal fan, and they’re the team I follow most closely right now. The team looks really good this year, with excellent depth. It’s exciting, and I watch them every week.

“It would be great to see Mikel Arteta win the league; he’s been on such a journey as a manager, and hopefully, he gets what he deserves.”

Q: How good is it to see David Moyes back at Everton?

“Their recruitment has been excellent, with Jack Grealish already being a really positive addition. They’ve made some really good signings and already had a strong foundation.

“The stadium is incredible, it was great to be invited there four or five weeks ago to play in a legends game against Roma. What they’ve achieved there with Hill Dickinson is amazing.

“They’ve built it incredibly steep, keeping a close atmosphere to the pitch. It’s a state of-the-art stadium. It’s also great to see David back, he’s a fantastic manager.”

Q: How good would it be to see European football back at Everton?

“We were always in Europe when I was there. Historically, Everton are a European club so hopefully they can kind of build themselves back up the league and start challenging for that sixth spot.

“They’re a huge club, a huge club, historically one of the biggest clubs, but the Premier League is just becoming so hard now. Everyone’s beating each other, and even the teams that are coming up are strong.

“No one’s place is guaranteed now, which is what’s nice about the game. It’s really nice. It looks like the three that have come up could do better this season.

“It’s a lot more challenging now and people are investing. So yeah, it’s great entertainment to watch. Maybe not so much when you’re down there.”

Q: How good would it be to see Jack Grealish back in the England team?

“I’d love to see Jack Grealish back in the England fold. If he keeps playing the way he is at Everton and keeps performing, then I don’t see why he won’t be back in there.

“He’s great to watch, an exciting player, and it’s nice to see him back playing with a smile on his face. It’s great.”

Q: How highly do you rate David Moyes as a manager?

“I can only comment on David Moyes’ time at Everton, where he built an amazing squad with a strong culture. Everyone worked hard and fought for each other, and we had great morals and ethics. It was a fantastic club to be at, and it was a pleasure to work under him.

“He helped me personally with my development. I have very fond memories of my time at Everton and sometimes wish I had stayed longer. I had a great time under David, but I don’t know what went wrong for him at Man Utd, maybe it was just bad timing.”

Q: Can Ollie Watkins fire Aston Villa to Europa League glory?

“Ollie Watkins is a proven goalscorer and a fantastic striker to watch. I love watching him, and his record speaks for itself, he’s always going to score goals.

“His movement is great, and he’s scored goals for England. He’s an all-round, great striker, so there’s no doubt in my mind that he will get plenty of opportunities in European football, and with his track record, he’ll be scoring goals for sure.”

Q: Did you feel underrated as a striker?

“I didn’t do too much media, I kept myself to myself. I loved football and the game. I just loved going to training, working hard, and doing my stuff on a Saturday.

“Outside of that, I kept my head down. I know a lot of other players socially put themselves out there. I was happy with what I achieved in the game. I had a really good run, despite a few injuries, and in general, I have some amazing memories. I’m really lucky and proud of what I’ve achieved.”

Q: How highly do you rate Marco Silva at Fulham?

“It’s hard, and I think it’s hard for every team in midtable. It’s really tough. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but he’s built an amazing team and he’s got a great squad there with some really good players.

“Sometimes you just need that bit of luck to go on a run, where the team gets that self-belief and you can put four, five, six, seven wins together, as Crystal Palace did last year.

“Once you get on that run, you’re up and running. But there are some really strong teams out there this year. Leeds are looking really good. Sunderland are looking really good. It’s tough.

“It’s not as easy as it used to be. That top three isn’t just Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal anymore. You look at the teams that were up there last year, Forest, and three or four years ago, Leicester. It’s good, it’s great for the game.

“It’s becoming more competitive and it’s making football so that anyone can beat anyone.”

Q: Which defenders did you have good battles with in the Premier League?

“I never liked playing against anyone in particular, so there wasn’t anyone I thought would make for an easy day. That’s just never the case. But of course, the standard ones like Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, and Ricardo Carvalho at Chelsea were world-class defenders.

“I didn’t often get much change out of them, I didn’t score many against them. I don’t think I scored against Manchester United or Chelsea, which probably says it all.

“But then again, we’re talking about a time when Chelsea and United dominated season after season. It was that golden era where they won everything, and it was tough.

“You had to be on your top game going to places like Old Trafford, which was a fortress back in the day, and Stamford Bridge. They were both really difficult places to play.”

Q: How good a manager could Lee Carsley be?

“Lee Carsley is great. I’ve played with him for a couple of years at Everton. He’s a fantastic guy and I got on with him really well. I’m so pleased with what he’s done and achieved.

“He’s produced some amazing players out of the U21s and U18s, and to win the championships a couple of times back to back, but with different squads as well, just goes to show the management, man-management, and skills he’s got.

“The talent that he’s got is great. It’s good to see him doing really well. He’s a great guy, one of the best.”

Q: Could Damien Duff be the next Celtic manager?

“I never thought Duffer would go into management. He’s probably one that I didn’t think would go into coaching, but it’s nice to see him do it. It’s nice to see the boys I’ve played with doing really well.

“It’s nice to watch him and follow him, and hopefully, he can progress and move to a bigger role at some point. He’s done really, really well. He’s a great guy, as are all the guys I’m talking about, they’re unbelievable guys, proper good lads.”

Q: Did you ever come close to joining Rangers or Celtic?

“It didn’t really come about. There was nothing really there. It was always kind of London clubs. There were a couple of opportunities to go abroad later on in my career, like to Vancouver Whitecaps, which came about just before I went to QPR.

“There was an offer to go there for four years, which I was kind of keen to explore. But sometimes when you get to the back end of your career, you’ve got to look at your kids and your family life, and see if it suits everything.

“It was probably just the wrong time for me. But yeah, there was nothing really up in Scotland. So, the only real tempting offer that I had was potentially Vancouver, which I didn’t take. I ended up going to QPR in the end.”

Q: Who are you backing as David Bentley boxes Jody Morris?

“I’ll leave that to David Bentley and Jody Morris. I hope they have a good one. I haven’t really seen too much, but I’ve seen it flash up a little bit on social media.

“It’s for a great cause and it’s going to be a great evening. A few people have got together, it’s looking like it’ll be a fun night and it’s for a great cause.

“I’ll be looking forward to watching it. It’ll be good. I’ve seen some of the pre-events, like the press conference, and it’s been a bit of a banger. So I think it’ll be good for the sport.”