As the future at Manchester City continues to remain unresolved, there is potentially set to be a mass player exodus from Eastlands. And top of that list for those in the market - namely Everton and Liverpool - is the 20-year-old English midfielder Michael Johnson.

An energetic player who likes to run with the ball as well as being strong in the tackle, Johnson is certainly one with buckets of potential. Despite sustaining a plaguing abdominal injury that kept him sidelined for a couple of months, Johnson showed little ill-effect on his eventual return, demonstrating his potential and ability prior to the injury.

So it’s no wonder several clubs have been less than subtle in their approach for the youngster; Everton and Liverpool currently first in line. But where I can see how Johnson would easily slot into the current Everton line up, I’m not convinced of his place across the park.

One of the most frequent comments made about Everton last season was surrounding their limitations in midfield. Captain Phil Neville, constantly drafted in to fill the midfield abyss, frequently met fierce criticism regarding his performances. The thing that fans tend to forget was that he is not a natural midfielder. And now with Carsley’s exit widening the void and Fernandes still yet to find his Premier League feet, there is a definite, if not completely obvious, role for Johnson to walk in to alongside the likes of Arteta, Cahill and Osman.

The same cannot be said of Liverpool who are already bursting at the seams; Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas instantly come to mind. Yes, it is likely that Alonso will depart this summer but a straight switch - Johnson for Alonso - just doesn’t sit well in my mind especially if the Reds persist in their quest for Gareth Barry. And while I’m sure Johnson would be more than happy to fight for his place and thus proving himself along the way to the international camp, some battles just aren’t worth fighting.

If he goes to Liverpool, could he potentially be another Peter Crouch - great player left gathering moss on the bench? And if so, surely he’d be much better in a progressing Everton side?