Player Watch Player Watch: Brennan Johnson

[WiganSpur]

And yet, Johnson was their preferred option...

But I actually think that's telling in a way. He is a transitional player, very very fast. Reasonably good ball striker who likes a low shot. However doesn't seem to be the most amazing creativity wise, dribbler or touchline player. I can definitely see why Brentford would be interested as their counters are rapid. We're not really that kind of side.

Maybe that's what Ange wants who knows, but I don't think a player like Johnson helps us in that game we had against Brentford. Perhaps against teams like City, Arsenal & Liverpool maybe.

 

[SpursSince1980]

"Involves couple our players, and at least one player."

Am I the only one who couldn't understand this sentence?

 

[spursfan77]

We are willing to also buy him with no exchange. Seems to be moving now. Although I wouldn’t mind actually reading the article itself.

 

[WiganSpur]

To be fair, if they want £40m and not £50m cash and they'll accept something like £20m plus Spence and Sanchez thrown in, then that's a much more palatable deal. Especially if we can find a move for Bryan. As said I don't think he's a bad player, just not quite at the level and stylistic fit i'd want from a £50m player, HG or not.

 

[Led Revolver]

Where does he play? I had it in my mind he was a striker but Transfermarkt has him as an attacking midfielder who can play on either wing?

I’d like to think we can get a better striker than Brennan Johnson if that’s the case.

 

[GutBucket]

Like fast wingers in this system, hope we don't overpay like Richarlison and bring another attacker.

 

[Jiminio]

Spurs want £40m-rated Johnson​

Tottenham Hotspur will try to secure the signing of Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson with a cash-plus-player deal (Tom Roddy writes).

Forest are looking for a fee of about £40 million for the Wales forward, who is also wanted by West Ham United. Chelsea had considered making a move for the 22-year-old this summer but have withdrawn their interest after it was understood that the player’s preference would be a move to Tottenham.

Forest have already rejected a £35 million offer for Johnson from Brentford this summer, a deal that would have broken the west London club’s transfer record. Forest have struggled to land the transfer targets intended to strengthen Steve Cooper’s squad this summer but are resigned to the likelihood that Johnson, who scored ten goals for them last season, will leave.

Forest rejected a bid of £35 million for Johnson from Brentford in the summer
JON HOBLEY/MI NEWS/ALAMY

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Tottenham will look to exchange fringe members from their squad to convince Forest to complete the move, which would help to cut the size of Ange Postecoglou’s large group of about 35 players.

Forest are keen on adding centre backs and Davinson Sánchez, Tottenham’s 27-year-old Colombia defender, is one of the possible figures to be involved in a deal.

Tottenham will suggest other options but are also willing to complete a cash-only deal. They are looking to reinvest the money made through the £94.5 million sale of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich and want to add goals and pace to Postecoglou’s attacking options.

Spurs have so far signed James Maddison from Leicester City, Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli and Alejo Véliz from Rosario Central. They are still looking to sell Hugo Lloris, the former club captain, while Sergio Reguilón and Japhet Tanganga could also leave.

Chelsea are still searching for a new forward option in the market after injuries to Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka. They are also unlikely to pursue a move for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun as the north London club value the United States forward at more than £40 million.

 

[WiganSpur]

Think we all need to get past the first 11 argument with Ange. It’s the sum of all parts, not the individuals that matter.

To have a squad full of different players results in tactical flexibility, and means that opposition teams will be unsure of how we will be playing when they have their week’s preparation to go against us.

To be able to rotate full backs, play GLC, rotate Sarr with Skipp and bring Bentancur back into the fold added to the excellent Biss and Maddison, great depth.

To have 3 positions up top with choices from Son, Deki, Richy, Solomon, Perisic and maybe Johnson results in great squad depth and very different abilities with each player.

Take Perisic as a perfect example, came on against United, defended from the front brilliantly and is a very experienced a tactically intelligent footballer. These players are needed, different profiles are needed.

If we were to bring in Johnson then personally think we are just slightly short at CB. Schuurs would be a very shrewd signing IMO.

I'd be underwhelmed if all we did was Johnson & Schurrs especially if the Johnson deal has a couple of our players thrown in.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Where does he play? I had it in my mind he was a striker but Transfermarkt has him as an attacking midfielder who can play on either wing?

I’d like to think we can get a better striker than Brennan Johnson if that’s the case.

ST, CF(just behind a ST) or RW.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I'd be underwhelmed if all we did was Johnson & Schurrs especially if the Johnson deal has a couple of our players thrown in.

Yea agree mate, however if we signed Johnson, Orban(or an RW) and Schurrs that would be absolutely class but then again without European football it might be slightly overkill.

 

[WiganSpur]

This is like reading the Deki chat before he signed all over again. People love a player tearing up a weaker league (Orban) but performing well in a poor footballing side means your ‘average’.

Stop making assessments based on the style of football a player is forced to play and look at how they perform in moments that will translate to our set up. Johnson is excellent in tight spaces, can beat men both ways, is composed on the ball and works hard off it. Everything Ange wants in a winger.

He seems to be undeniably rapid, looks to work hard and not a bad finisher but haven't seen too much evidence he can beat players for fun?

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Our interest goes back two years. Involves couple our players, and at least one player. Ange rates him, but I don’t.

I’d rather Ange rated him and you don’t than the other way round mate

 

[Danny1]

I'd be underwhelmed if all we did was Johnson & Schurrs especially if the Johnson deal has a couple of our players thrown in.

Don’t necessarily but I can’t see us bringing in any more without moving more on in my opinion. Say Spence, Sanchez, Lloris, PEH, Reguilon and Ndombele all left and Johnson and Schuurs came in that would still result in a very large squad. 27 players.

 

[Danny1]

Yea agree mate, however if we signed Johnson, Orban(or an RW) and Schurrs that would be absolutely class but then again without European football it might be slightly overkill.

I think it also depends on where Ange sees Johnson playing, ST or attacking winger and also their thoughts on when they will integrate Veliz into the first team. Possibly in the new year.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

To be fair, if they want £40m and not £50m cash and they'll accept something like £20m plus Spence and Sanchez thrown in, then that's a much more palatable deal. Especially if we can find a move for Bryan. As said I don't think he's a bad player, just not quite at the level and stylistic fit i'd want from a £50m player, HG or not.

Totally with you.

Getting rid of fringe players while adding a player Ange wants plus a tolerable cash sum, and at 80% of the price, and all of a sudden you can see it.

My main issue then becomes opportunity cost: getting him means we’re not getting someone else.

So be it. It’ll add some well needed pace and variety in attack.

If we get him, get rid of some fringe players and add a CB, I think you’d have to say that’s a very progressive window. When you add the ‘new’ Bissouma, and the integration of Sarr and Udogie alongside the new signings, we’re starting to look like a very different (and better) team

 

[Joe Bjorn Hotspur]

If the Johnson rumours come to fruition I’ve got to admit I’m not sure but with Ange he’s looking for the long haul and perhaps someone coming off the bench running at the oppo, perhaps Aaron Lennonesque. I had a look at speed stats his top speed clocks 22.8 mph (one of the quickest in the top flight last year), Deki prior to his injury last season topped at 20.4 mph: since then not too sure but when watching at the Lane on Saturday he still looks very short of that. With Ange’s intensity the competition for places and having that option from the bench will be key.

With a lot now being driven from data (obviously more than speed: also recovery, pass completion and far more intricacies) it could be a good shout getting Johnson in: as I’m typing, still not sure the more I think about it, that’s why I’m a fan I guess.

 

[WiganSpur]

Totally with you.

Getting rid of fringe players while adding a player Ange wants plus a tolerable cash sum, and at 80% of the price, and all of a sudden you can see it.

My main issue then becomes opportunity cost: getting him means we’re not getting someone else.

So be it. It’ll add some well needed pace and variety in attack.

If we get him, get rid of some fringe players and add a CB, I think you’d have to say that’s a very progressive window. When you add the ‘new’ Bissouma, and the integration of Sarr and Udogie alongside the new signings, we’re starting to look like a very different (and better) team

If we are signing Brennan, then we really need to be trying to move on Bryan. I don't see the point in keeping Solomon, Bryan, Perisic and Johnson in the same squad. It's ridiculous overkill without Europe and not one of those players massively stand out above the rest. I guess that's one of my gripes with Johnson.

 

[funkycoldmedina]

I swear I have been watching a different player to some of the comments in here......

Unless I need my eyes testing, of course

In which way? You rate or don't rate him?

 

[Led Revolver]

ST, CF(just behind a ST) or RW.

Ahh ok thanks..

From the brief highlights video I just watched, he looked like he was mainly playing more as a right wing forward - Deki’s position but right footed.

If we could move out 2 non homegrown players that we no longer want, bring him in together with a proper striker and centre back, I’d be quite happy. Although we do lack left footed players in our squad I think.

 

[arunspurs]

I really don't see it. The wingers in Ange's setup need to be able to beat their man and create for others. Johnson is a terrible dribbler, ranking in the 11th percentile for take-on success rate. In other words, nine out of every ten wingers in Europe was more effective in beating his man last season than Johnson.

Raw pace is useful in a counterattacking side but we aren't a counterattacking side anymore. Nothing about Johnson's game would have made a difference against Brentford IMO.

Forest plays with avg possession of 33% and are lowblock. Last week against Arsenal, their possession was 21%

In such a team, Johnson is usually left upfield on corners or in open play. If its a similar strength rival, then their striker also forward. He usually gets marked by 2 opponent defenders given he is the break away threat.

In such conditions, to complete take ons , marked by 2 players is more difficult.

The problem I see with all these analysis, for me , its skewed. Dribbles & Takeons IMO should only based on eye test. Just going by data is skewed.

Below is his stats from last season :
Barnes scored 13 goals for Leicester. Some of us wanted him earlier in window :

Johnson

Stats are often misleading - we cant take them always on face value IMO