Glen Johnson talks Liverpool and Chelsea transfer targets

Midnite have sat down with ex-Premier League winning defender and former England international, Glen Johnson, ahead of the Premier League return on boxing day.

The 38-year-old is convinced that the World Cup final was better than any final he has watched in his life, including Istanbul in 2005.

The ex-Chelsea and Liverpool player has talked on signings his former clubs should make in the January transfer window, including big names such as Enzo Fernandez, Jude Bellingham, Josko Gvardiol and Cristiano Ronaldo.

As a former Red, Johnson backs Liverpool to beat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. Here's the interview in full.

Was Sunday's match the greatest World Cup final, or even game, of all time?

The World Cup final was certainly the best final I've seen. Forget it being a final, it was one of the most entertaining games I've seen. It had everything other than a red card, great attacking, defending, goals and saves. For me, it's the best final I've ever seen.

It's better than Liverpool's Istanbul comeback in 2005 because it's a World Cup final, it's the biggest game in football. Anyone outside of Liverpool does not appreciate the Istanbul game even though it's up there as on of the best finals.

Has Lionel Messi closed the GOAT debate now?

Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time. Everyone talks about Pele and Diego Maradona but I've never seen them play, only in clips and they did look amazing. But it's different eras, what they did in their time is exceptional, but for Messi to get seven Ballon D'or, win every trophy and score in every knockout round of the World Cup is incredible. Even if he lost the final he was still the greatest for me.

How happy would you be if Liverpool were to sign Mbappe, especially after that performance in the final?

Kylian Mbappe was the substory of the final. He did not offer anything in the first 60 minutes but then he sparked himself alive and scores a hat-trick. It's heartbreaking to put in his performance and not win the World Cup. I'd be over the moon if Liverpool can sign Mbappe because he'll be getting the same accolades as Lionel Messi has in 10 years time.

Can you talk me through your team of the tournament?

My team of the tournament is:

• Emiliano Martinez
• Achraf Hakimi
• Josko Gvardiol
• Raphael Varane
• Theo Hernandez
• Luka Modric
• Sofyan Amrabat
• Antoine Griezmann
• Neymar
• Kylian Mbappe
• Lionel Messi

Would England have beaten that Argentina side?

England would not have beaten that Argentina side in the final. I tipped Argentina to win the World Cup before a ball was kicked because they have heart, desire and controlled aggression. They were the best bet because they would do anything to win the World Cup, I don't think England would have handled them.

Man City vs Liverpool on Thursday, how do you see that game going?

Man City still have players coming back from the World Cup and Liverpool have been playing friendlies. If Liverpool players are feeling fitter from being back longer from the World Cup, they can field a good side and knick the win against Man City.

Haaland will have been rested for a month, would it have annoyed him watching Mbappe get a hat-trick in the World Cup final?

Erling Haaland will be envious watching Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup final. He will want to put a stamp on the game again and make sure people have not forgotten him. He will see this Liverpool game to take that opportunity to prove he's still among the best who played at the World Cup.

Enzo Fernandez, the young player of the tournament at the World Cup, has reportedly agreed a deal with Liverpool, how good of a signing could that be?

Enzo Fernandez looks a really good player and will be a really good signing for Liverpool. If the deal is already agreed then you know Liverpool have not signed him purely on his World Cup form. When clubs sign players who play well for three games at a World Cup, its madness. Fernandez would have been scouted properly before the World Cup and Liverpool knew how good he can become.

I'd pick Jude Bellingham over Fernandez. Bellingham had a brilliant few games at the World Cup and he's still learning. He's getting better every day and the sky is the limit, I like Hernandez but I would rather sign Bellingham.

Moises Caicedo is a good player and is already Premier League proven, but I don't think it would be a good signing for Liverpool. He's not quite Bellingham, put it that way.

With Luis Diaz out for three months, should Liverpool sign another forward? If so, who?

Cody Gakpo is going to be a superstar in years to come and won't be cheap, so I don't see him as a short-term replacement for Luis Diaz. Liverpool need to look at a short-term loan deal, not another expensive star otherwise there will be too many players in that position.

Liverpool have already struggled this season whilst Arsenal and Newcastle have risen up the table, do you see them getting Champions League football next season?

I do see Liverpool struggling to get top four this season. But we don't know the effect this World Cup is going to have on domestic sides. The World Cup might slow the league down and hinder some of the big teams, this gap might help teams like Liverpool who have been struggling. Liverpool will need to turn it around as soon as possible.

Trent played a limited amount of minutes in the World Cup, have you been in that situation? Would you be fired up for the rest of the season with a point to prove if you were Trent?

As a player like Trent Alexander-Arnold who wants to help the team and be successful but does not play any minutes, it's heartbreaking. Looking at it now, it might've been better for Alexander-Arnold to have stayed at home. The way he is, Alexander-Arnold will turn this negative into a positive, coming back he will be fired up and he'll want to show people what he can do. I'd expect Alexander-Arnold to take these next few months very seriously.

Has Alexander-Arnold’s situation ever happened to you?

I haven't experienced this situation for England, but I did experience it at Chelsea. We won the league with the best defensive record in the Premier League, then next season I didn't play as much. Of course it annoyed me and I wanted to play, so I went somewhere else to prove I was good enough to play. I turned a negative into a positive.

First Premier League game back is on Boxing Day against Aston Villa, should Klopp be worried about this new Aston Villa side under Unai Emery?

Not many players from Aston Villa would have gone to the World Cup so they will be more rested. If I was Jurgen Klopp I'd be more worried about the team he can put together rather than Aston Villa's form under Unai Emery before the World Cup.

Graham Potter has now had around of month of training and getting to know his players, how beneficial could that be to him and to Chelsea?

Chelsea would have had the majority of their squad together for a longer time than the other big clubs. For someone like Graham Potter who properly coaches his sides and develops relationships with the players, it could be a big positive and install some confidence into the Chelsea players. Chelsea were hot and cold before the World Cup, they are definitely one of the main clubs that needed this break.

How good is the Nkunku signing? Could he become Chelsea’s best player?

I think Christopher Nkunku looks like a really good player. However, we've seen players come to Chelsea and not look the same. Nkunku has all the attributes to be a powerhouse, if he can carry his form into the Premier League, then that's a fantastic signing.

Should Chelsea sign Ronaldo on a short contract? They need goals

I would take Cristiano Ronaldo at Chelsea for six months, absolutely. Ronaldo has been the second or third-best player we've seen in our generation. If Ronaldo wants to be back in the same rank as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi or Neymar, he needs to improve.

Pulisic has been linked with Man United, would that be a good move for him or should he stay at Chelsea?

I want Chelsea to keep Christian Pulisic, he shouldn't leave for Manchester United. I have defended him for a long time and said he has so much potential, but now he needs to prove it. He still has loads to give, give him one more serious season, but if we're having the same conversations this time next year, he has to go.

After Ziyech’s performance in the World Cup, should Chelsea sell him now while his price has risen?

It's easy to perform at the World Cup the way Hakim Ziyech has in a limited amount of games. Big teams won't be fooled by his World Cup form, but he can be that great he player when he wants to be. I want Chelsea to keep him, but they need to find a way to get the best out of him. Ziyech retired from international football and was convinced to come back, whatever was said to him to make him come back to Morocco is what he needs to be told to perform at Chelsea.

Chelsea want Gvardiol too, how much do they need him in that ageing defence?

Chelsea should sign Josko Gvardiol in case anyone else goes for him. Chelsea won't want to sign players off World Cup form, but he does look very assured, confident, decent on the ball and will put his body on the line. Gvardiol has the attributes to suit the Premier League, it's worth taking a punt on him, because he could be worth even more than he is now.

If Reece James continues to be injured/unfit, should Chelsea look at Croatia’s right back Juranovic who plays at Celtic? He had a terrific tournament and offered a lot offensively

Josip Juranovic looks very quick and very efficient going forward, he had a great tournament for Croatia and has performed well at Celtic. Reece James' injury is not that bad for Juranovic to replace him. Juranovic would be a great backup to Reece James, and coming from Celtic, he won't be a £80 million player, it will be a simple deal. But I can't see him replacing James.

How big is the loss of Broja who is out for the season? Do you feel sorry for him since has such a big injury at a young age?

I feel sorry for Armando Broja to get a bad injury at his age, especially now as he had a chance to get in the starting XI now. I have supported him for the last 18 months, now this has happened, it's pretty sad. You don't want players getting injured like that, no matter who you support.

Chelsea play Bournemouth then Nottingham Forest, is that a nice schedule to come back into for the players after their efforts at the World Cup?

Bournemouth will be an easier start than most other teams if Chelsea can apply themselves correctly. Any team in the Premier League can beat you if you're not up for it. Chelsea will need to find motivation, but you will expect it will be a nice start from the World Cup break.

Declan Rice has been praised for his performances at the World Cup, would you be surprised to see him go to another club in January?

I'd be surprised to see Declan Rice leave West Ham in January, there aren't many huge signings in that window usually. But he will get that big move to a top team in the summer. I can see Rice going to either Chelsea or Liverpool.

West Ham have Arsenal first game back, is this the best time to play them as they’ve had a few players go to the World Cup and they’re without Gabriel Jesus?

This is the best time for West Ham to play Arsenal, especially with how good Arsenal were in the first half of the season. The World Cup is going to hinder the teams who were in really good form and benefit the teams who were bang average. Arsenal have lost their main man Gabriel Jesus who is a brilliant player. Arsenal have had a few players go to the World Cup too so the squad won't all be fully fit, and they've obviously had injuries. If there ever was a time to play Arsenal, now is the time. West Ham will win 1-0.