Johnston providing a sense of Samba for Baggies
- Published
Mikey Johnston has scored two goals for West Brom this season
Most teams dream of having a bit of Brazilian flair on the wing, right?
For every era there's a precocious Samba talent who lights up our TV screens and sets up residence in our hearts.
For me it was Ronaldinho. My Dad would probably point to Garrincha or Jairzinho while my nephews run around in Neymar shirts.
So, when they largely wrote the book on world-class wide men, it feels a bit weird when the Brazilian top flight decides to go shopping in the Championship for one.
Yet, that's exactly what Flamengo did this summer.
The Club World Cup side put in a £5m offer for Albion's Mikey Johnston which was duly accepted.
Eyebrows were raised at the deal itself but not necessarily at Albion's acceptance of it.
Johnston had slightly flattered to deceive during the 2024-25 season with just eight goal contributions, and many fans were questioning whether his seven goals in 15 games on loan the previous year was just a flash in the pan.
Perhaps that is why Flamengo ultimately backed out of the deal, leaving Johnston to enjoy Sandwell instead of Rio.
However, this season Johnston has justified those admiring glances from South America with a series of standout performances.
His stunning strike against Preston on Saturday underlined an eye-catching start to the campaign which has seen him score two goals and provide three assists.
It is well known that dancing feet are synonymous with Brazilian talent.
In that regard Johnston's skills this term wouldn't have looked out of place south of the equator.
Some believed Albion would suffer heavily without last season's creator-in-chief Tom Fellows, but it feels, on the other side of the pitch, Johnston has stepped out of his shadow and up to the plate.
On this form, Albion will no doubt be thankful that Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista ended up blocking his transfer to the Brazilian Serie A.
Perhaps, when he sees the highlights of the Preston game, the Scarlet and Black's top man will wish he had just a little bit of Irish flair in Flamengo's ranks.