IT is little wonder Middlesbrough are holding on to Adam Johnson. When Chelsea were ordered to pay £3.5m rising to £6.5m for Daniel Sturridge last week, Boro’s determination must have been strengthened.

Johnson is one of the lowest paid players at the Riverside Stadium, having signed his last contract in the summer of 2006, and many felt Middlesbrough would struggle to win more in a tribunal than they could receive if they sold him in this month’s transfer window.

The Sturridge ruling, however, will have hardened the resolve of manager Gordon Strachan and the club’s chairman Steve Gibson – and so it should.

For all that Sturridge is regarded as one of the English game’s hot striking prospects, at this stage he has not achieved anywhere near what Johnson has managed during his time in professional football.

So if Middlesbrough do hold on to Johnson beyond this month, giving him the freedom to join who he likes at the end of his contract in the summer, the Teesside outfit must be more confident than ever of receiving a high fee.

When the Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) convene, which admittedly is likely to be some six months after Johnson has left Middlesbrough, they take into account a variety of factors.

As well as drawing on evidence from each club to support their respective valuations of the player, the committee considers the costs of running an Academy, the age and playing record of the player and the length of time he was registered with the original club.

They then assess the contract terms being offered by both clubs, the status of the two and the amount of genuine interest from other clubs shown in the player.

What tends to happen, like in the Sturridge case, is that a basic compensation fee is awarded and then further payments are based on performance-related bonuses, such as representing England.

With all that in mind, Middlesbrough clearly have a strong case to argue they deserve to be awarded a similar amount to City – if not more.

There is plenty of interest in Johnson already, with Chelsea and Sunderland monitoring the situation and both Wolves and Birmingham reputedly ready to offer around £6.5m before the end of the month.

But with Johnson unlikely to rush into any deal with Wolves or Birmingham, the most likely scenario is that he heads into the summer able to pick his next club.

Now 22 he has been at Middlesbrough since the age of 13. The same age Sturridge joined Manchester City from Coventry before leaving seven years later.

Clearly Middlesbrough have put more time and work into the development of Johnson, something that would have to be considered by the PFCC.

In terms of performances, Middlesbrough would also have a strong case. Since making his debut aged 17 in the UEFA Cup, he has gone on to make 46 league starts and a further 47 appearances from the bench – albeit 23 starts in the Championship.

Contrast that to Sturridge, who turned 20 in September, and he only boasts six Premier League league starts, five of which were for Manchester City.

Sturridge might have scored more times in the Premier League (5) but Johnson has 16 goals (one in the top-flight) for Middlesbrough and has become the club’s main source of supply and goals this season.

Much will depend on what is being offered in terms of contract and that could be where Middlesbrough’s case falls down a little for a player that has earned 15 more caps for England’s Under-21s than Sturridge.

Sturridge turned down an offer of £45,000-a-week to stay at City, it is difficult to see Middlesbrough topping £30,000 while they are in the Championship. While it is also safe to assume Chelsea are paying more to Sturridge than the likes of Sunderland or Wolves would pay Johnson.

Last week’s ruling that Chelsea had to pay £3.5m followed by a further £500,000 after every ten appearances up to 40, plus a further £1m for a senior England cap, will have been noted at the Riverside.

And so it should. If Johnson was thinking a move would arrive quickly in January, the last four days should have indicated otherwise.

The highly-rated left-winger will more than likely turn his back on Middlesbrough in the not too distant future, but there is every chance it will not be for as little as first thought.