Glen Johnson made more attempts at goal than any other England defender this year

Glen Johnson is a right-back noted for his forays into the attack and he has been involved with England for almost a decade.

His nine appearances during 2012, all starts, have taken him up to 44 caps. His only goal so far came in a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico at Wembley in 2010, a left-foot belter from 25 yards.

He played in all four matches of the Euro 2012 Finals in Poland and Ukraine, his expert blocking of a Nocerino shot at the end of normal time helping to take the quarter-final with Italy to extra-time and ultimately penalties. 

Johnson made an important contribution in England’s opening World Cup qualifier in Moldova in September, clipping in a cross that Frank Lampard headed home for 2-0 with perfect timing.

He can be relied on to put in at least one decent shot during any England match and a low left-footer against Ukraine at Wembley had Pyatov down at full stretch as the home side piled forward in search of an equaliser.

After missing the San Marino fixture, he was back in his usual position for the trips to Poland and Sweden. 

The former West Ham and Chelsea defender completed his third season with Liverpool in 2012, having joined from Portsmouth.

The Reds finished a disappointing eighth in the Premier League but reached two Wembley Finals, Glen picking up a League Cup winners’ medal in February and a runners-up medal in The FA Cup three months later.

Steven Gerrard, his skipper with both Liverpool and England, says he is “up there with the best right-backs in the world”.

Glen enjoys the big tournaments like Euro 2012: “The fans are there to support (us) and it feels like we’re a big, tight unit”.

Glen Johnson's Opta Stats

- Glen Johnson made 15 interceptions for England in 2012. John Terry (21) was the only defender to make more.
- The Liverpool full-back made more attempts at goal than any other England defender this year (seven).
- The right back made more dribbles than any other England player in 2012 (30).
- Johnson attempted seven dribbles and runs in England’s victory over Moldova in September, the most in a single game by any England player this year.
- The Liverpool man attempted 25 shots in Liverpool’s first 16 PL games this season, at least eight more than any other top-flight defender.
- Johnson was the only England player credited with a last man saving tackle at Euro 2012.

Glen Johnson, along with Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart and Danny Welbeck are all in the hunt this year and it's up to you which star will claim the 2012 England Player of the Year award at the inaugural FA England Awards in association with Vauxhall at St. George's Park on Sunday 3 February 2013.

Place your vote in the poll below before the closing date of 13 January 2013. You can also vote for the England Men's Under-21s and Women's Senior Players of the Year, too.