Bright: Johnson is England's weak link

The former West Ham and Chelsea defender has improved immeasurably since joining Portsmouth in 2006, where his consistently impressive form earned him a big money move to Liverpool and regular spot in Fabio Capello's starting XI.

However, BBC pundit Bright - who made more than 200 league appearances for Palace from 1986-92 - believes the full-back is the weak link in the Italian's side, a point he says was proved last weekend when Johnson was partly at fault for Slovenia's late goal in England's 2-1 win at Wembley.

"This summer Liverpool paid £18 million to Portsmouth for Glen Johnson but come next July he could just cost England the World Cup," he told Metro.

"Going forward he is great but as a defender he gets beaten too easily.

"Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho thought Johnson would let him down against top-class ­opposition. At the moment, he looks to be right.

"Slovenia were modest opponents at Wembley last weekend but it was ­amazing how easily Johnson was ­beaten and Slovenia's goal came from his poor defending.

"If England are going to win the World Cup we need a rock-solid defence.

"Fabio Capello says Johnson is one of the best right-backs in the world and he has the talent to be the best if he ­improves the defensive side of his game."

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