CHRISTMAS has come early for Jermaine Johnson. The exciting midfielder has to pinch himself every day after settling into his new Premier League life following his surprise move from Jamaican league football where he played with Tivoli Gardens.
Manager Sam Allardyce sums up the 21-year-old's delight when he says: "Every day is Christmas Day for Jermaine.
"When you think where he was playing and what he was earning compared with where he is now, it has been a whirlwind experience for him.
"He is settling in nicely. He is coming to terms with the cold weather in this country and I think the that is the only thing he has to worry about.
"The lad is very well adjusted and he is very street wise. We have to keep developing him slowly and surely and not try to do too much too soon.
"It will be a while before he copes with the day-in-day-out of the Premiership. The amount of strength, athleticism and stamina is more than anywhere in the world."
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