BEN JOHNSON NEWS

In doubt Thursday Johnson picked up a knock and will be a doubt against SC Freiburg on Thursday after manager David Moyes told reporters, "Ben Johnson has picked up a little injury as well."

Impact Johnson's only appearance for the club this season came in the Carabao Cup matchup with Lincoln City, so his potential absence will have little impact on the starting XI for Thursday's tilt.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mostly backup option this season Johnson kept two clean sheets in 17 Premier League appearances (nine starts) mostly at either full-back position for West Ham this season.

Impact Johnson's playing time decreased a bit compared to the 2021/22 campaign, but the summer arrivals of Emerson and Thilo Kehrer are largely responsible for that as they added increased competition in defense. The 23-year-old Johnson has one year left on his contract heading into the summer, and he's a capable backup option who can fill in anywhere along the back line.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rice earns West Ham 1-1 draw at Southampton

Declan Rice denied Ralph Hasenhuttl a vital win as West Ham drew 1-1 at Southampton in the Premier League

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • Associated Press

Starts in Conference League Johnson (hamstring) started and played the full 90 minutes in Thursday's 1-0 Europa Conference League victory against Anderlecht.

Impact Johnson had been out since August with a hamstring injury, but he made his first appearance in over a month Thursday with a start in the back-three against Anderlecht. He should be available for selection Sunday versus Fulham in the Premier League, where he had started in three of West Ham's four matches prior to his injury.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Edging closer to fitness Johnson (hamstring) has been training for about 10 days and could be an option as soon as Saturday's match against Wolves, according to manager David Moyes.

Impact Johnson has been out a month with a hamstring injury and he could be an option Saturday, though it's unlikely he'll be in the starting XI. His return would add another piece to the West Ham back line for a busy October and while he won't be starting every match, he's already shown versatility playing center-back and wing-back.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Two clearances in loss Johnson made two clearances and one interception during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

Impact Johnson has found consistent playing time to start the 2022/23 campaign but it's been at center-back, not right-back. While it's a move that is seeing Johnson on the pitch more often, and for a full 90 in each of the opening two matches, it's not one that helps his offensive upside. Barring an injury to Vladimir Coufal it seems that Johnson is set to stay in a more central position in the West Ham defense.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Forest rides luck, beats West Ham 1-0 for 1st EPL win

Nottingham Forest rode its luck before marking its first home game in the Premier League in 23 years with a 1-0 win over West Ham

AUGUST 14, 2022 • Associated Press

Playes 68 minutes in UEL Johnson (thigh) played 68 minutes off the bench in Thursday's Europa League loss against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Impact Johnson had to come on early Thursday after Aaron Cresswell went off with a straight red card. Johnson appears to be over his thigh issue which forced him to miss the last league match and he'll be in contention to start going forward, likely competing with Vladimir Coufal for minutes at right-back.

MAY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with thigh issue Johnson is dealing with a thigh strain but "seems to be okay," ahead of Thursday's UEL match, according to manager David Moyes.

Impact Johnson missed last weekend's loss against Arsenal with the issue but fortunately it doesn't seem to be major. Prior to missing that game, he'd started four-straight matches across league and UEL, so there's a chance he'll be back in the XI for an upcoming contest if fit.

MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets minutes in UEL draw Johnson (hamstring) played 45 minutes off the bench in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Lyon.

Impact Johnson came on after the break with West Ham playing down a man Thursday. It appears he's over the hamstring issue, though on a short week, it'd be a surprise if he was back in the starting XI Sunday at Brentford with that spot on the right flank being up for grabs given injuries and fitness questions.

APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hamstring issue Johnson wasn't in the squad for Sunday's match against Everton because of a hamstring issue, according to manager David Moyes. "He felt his hamstring playing for England on Wednesd...

Impact This doesn't seem like a major worry for Johnson, but he won't be risked until he's 100 percent again, something that could take a couple days or more than a week. He'd been the regular at right-back, but Ryan Fredericks took up that spot in the win against Everton and will likely continue there if needed.

APRIL 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ben Johnson and Djed Spence earn first call-ups to England Under-21 squad West Ham United’s Ben Johnson and Nottingham Forest’s Djed Spence have been called up to the England Under-21 squad.Neither full-back has be...

MARCH 18, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Productive in second straight start Johnson created two scoring chances, put in two crosses (one accurate) and three interceptions during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Liverpool.

Impact Johnson started his second straight match and managed to produce in multiple categories as West Ham dropped a close match. He'll look to keep his place in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Aston Villa, which will likely be the case with Vladimir Coufal (groin) sidelined for an extended period of time.

MARCH 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nine crosses in return Johnson made his return to the starting XI from a hamstring injury and sent in nine crosses, all inaccurate, during Sunday's 1-0 win over Wolves.

Impact Johnson made his return to the starting XI and looked like he hadn't missed a beat. The wing-back has played on both sides of the back four, but is a lack-luster fantasy asset even when in the starting XI. Johnson will be best avoided away to Liverpool next time out.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Johnson's continued rise shows contract extension at West Ham must be on the agenda Ben Johnson has become an increasingly important player for West Ham - and a new deal must surely be on the agenda

JANUARY 10, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Five crosses in win Johnson sent in five crosses (three accurate) during Saturday's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.

Impact Johnson excelled Saturday bombing forward down the left flank, but unfortunately he failed to create any chances. The left-back is an interesting fantasy play with some upside, especially in easy matches. Next up is one such match, against Norwich.

JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plays full 90 in Cup loss Johnson (hamstring) started and went the full 90 in Wednesday's Cup loss against Tottenham.

Impact Johnson was back from a hamstring injury suffered a couple weeks ago and he was well enough to play 90. That's a great sign for him after he managed three-straight league starts prior to injury. If Aaron Cresswell continues to miss out, Johnson could receive a start or two over the holiday schedule.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers low-grade hamstring injury Johnson suffered a "low-grade hamstring injury" over the weekend and will miss an unknown amount of time.

Impact Low grade could mean a return in a couple weeks for Johnson, but as with any hamstring injury, that's on the hopeful side. This injury likely means a return to the XI for Vladimir Coufal, who had been moved to the bench for the past couple months, as Johnson was playing well at right-back in his spot.

DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves injured Johnson was forced off in the first half of Saturday's match with Chelsea due to an injury.

Impact Johnson was forced off at the end of the first half, replaced by Arthur Masuaku. More information about the extent of injury should be known ahead of next week's match at Burnley.

DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Immense defensively during win Johnson made three interceptions and 11 clearances during Sunday's 3-2 win over Liverpool.

Impact Johnson returned to the starting XI at right-back and lead West Ham in clearances as Liverpool attempted to find a late equalizer. He's been very active defensively and should remain a solid option heading into the trip to Wolverhampton on Nov. 20.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Starts, scores goal Johnson scored one goal during a 4-1 win Sunday against Aston Villa.

Impact Vladimir Coufal is unavailable due to a groin injury. Johnson showed how he could be an adequate backup though, spearheading the West Ham United team by scoring its first of four goals Sunday.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

10-man Aston Villa loses 4-1 at home to West Ham

West Ham has consolidated fourth place in the Premier League with a 4-1 win over 10-man Aston Villa

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • Associated Press

Ben Johnson turned down suitors this summer. Now he looks ready to play more for West Ham Johnson's patience looks like it will be rewarded. His talent is clear and injuries might mean a Premier League run soon

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Loses role to close season Johnson stayed on the bench in the final five matches of the season.

Impact Johnson was getting time from February to April, but he couldn't hold onto the gig despite Arthur Masuaku remaining on the shelf. Johnson finished with five starts from 14 appearances, most of them on the left wing, and it's hard to see him taking up a bigger role next season.

JUNE 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE