Johnson has yet to start a game for Chelsea this season and yet has already impressed for the full national team as well as the England Under-21s over the past few weeks.

The 20-year-old played a key role in ensuring Peter Taylor's side returned home with six points in their European Under-21 Championship qualifying group with an assured display in the 3-1 win against Poland on Tuesday.

Neville is clearly still the first choice for Eriksson with age and ability still on his side, but Taylor believes Johnson is first in line to replace the Manchester United defender when the time comes.

He said: "Is he the obvious player to eventually succeed Gary Neville? Yes, I would have thought there is nothing out there at the minute that would push in ahead of Glen Johnson.

"Gary Neville is always going to be one of the first names on the sheet at the minute because of his experience. He is such a great defender and a great organiser.

"You can understand why he is playing but I am sure if Glen gets a bit more experience of playing matches, and being more of a bossy defender, then he can go the whole way.

"All the under-21s will look at their position and think, 'if I get my finger out here, I've got a chance.' Looking at the ability of Glen Johnson, he's got a hell of a chance."

But Taylor has told Johnson that his first priority has to be to try and force his way ahead of £13.2m Paulo Ferreira in Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's plans and get much needed experience in the Premiership.

He added: "I think the challenge for Glen is to try and get into Chelsea's first team and play as many matches as he can and, if it means the under-21s helps him do that, then we'll be delighted.

"Looking at him as a player, he looks an incredible talent, everything you could want. But it will be far easier for him to get to the senior team by playing in Chelsea's first team.

"He knows he has got a hell of a challenge on his hands because of the amount of money they have paid for the right full-back.

"I don't know Jose Mourinho at all but he gives me the impression he is a very fair bloke and if he thought Glen was doing better than the other right-back, then he'd put him in."