Mourinho forced me out - Johnson

England defender Glen Johnson reckons that a breakdown in trust with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho led to his departure from the Premier League club.

Johnson, who last week completed a £17 million move from Portsmouth to Liverpool, accused Mourinho of breaking promises when they were both at Stamford Bridge.

"I remember the lowest point was when Chelsea were set to play Barcelona in the Champions League," said Johnson.

"We had a couple of Premier League games to go before we played Barca, and Mourinho picked me for one of those games and told me in front of five witnesses that if I played well I would keep the shirt.

"I told my agent that it didn't matter how well I played I would be dropped because Mourinho wouldn't want me anywhere near the team for the Barcelona game.

"Sure enough, I was voted man of the match - and I was dropped from the squad."

Johnson has still not figured out why he did not figure in the plans of the Portuguese coach who is now with Inter.

"You would have to ask Jose Mourinho what his reasons were, but I know it was because he didn't want to see me play well again and be forced to pick me for the Barcelona game."