Why Tottenham want to sign Brennan Johnson

Ange Postecoglou has single-handedly reshaped a previously morbid Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a theatre of optimism.

While supporters are well aware Spurs’ positive start to the 2023/24 campaign won’t perpetuate indefinitely, they’re more than lapping up the current wave of Ange fever. After three sombre years of bleak pragmatism, the straight-talking Aussie who sets his teams up in a way which his idealistic father would appreciate has the Lilywhites purring again.

Crucial to Spurs’ early success are the players integrated by the new boss. Yves Bissouma is a man reborn following a tough debut season, summer arrival James Maddison has already emerged as the club’s spiritual leader, youngsters Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie have dazzled, while Micky van de Ven looks to be the perfect foil for vice-captain Cristian Romero.

The signs are undoubtedly promising, but the club have still got some work to do between now and the end of the transfer window. While outgoings are the most pressing priority, Ange would love to have another centre-back and forward at his disposal for the 2023/24 season.

Talk regarding a new defender has been muted for a while, but Spurs are hoping to secure Ange the forward he desires in Brennan Johnson. The Nottingham Forest star has been linked with a £50m move to north London, and here’s why Postecoglou is keen on bringing in the 22-year-old.

Some believe that Forest’s valuation is far too lofty, while others have come around to the idea of signing Johnson purely because big Ange is a fan.

So, why is Postecoglou an admirer? Well, the new Spurs boss has so far adopted a 4-3-3 which morphs into a 2-3-5 in possession. The full-backs tuck in with the number eights stationed higher upfield, thus often leaving the wingers isolated one-v-one down the flanks.

As a result, Postecoglou needs wide players who excel when faced up against their opposing full-back. Johnson isn’t exactly a one-v-one specialist in the mould of a Jeremy Doku, but he’s a fine dribbler and an excellent ball carrier. Compared to forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, Johnson ranks in the 92nd percentile for progressive carries per 90 minutes (2.75) and 62nd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 (0.96).

His numbers certainly don’t jump out at you, but we must consider that he was playing in a side that largely sought to contain opponents and catch them out in transition. Last season, Johnson was excellent carrying the ball into space as a result of his impressive turn of pace, and he proved to be a distinct counter-attacking threat. Now, Spurs are evolving into less of a transition-based team under Ange, but such attributes will undoubtedly be useful, especially late on in games.

The Welshman’s versatility also has to be commended; he should be comfortable lining up across Tottenham’s front line, but we suspect he’ll primarily be used as a straight-line dribbler down the right tasked with attacking space, hitting the byline, and producing cut-backs for onrushing midfielders.

Johnson endured a down year from a creative perspective last season, but he showed his playmaking capacity during his final season in the Championship. He notched 16 goals and ten assists as Forest earned promotion to the Premier League in 2021/22. As a goalscorer, Johnson certainly isn’t the finished product, but he’s certainly capable of pulling off the spectacular. He scored eight goals in his debut top-flight campaign – a fine return.

Overall, Johnson shouldn’t be expected to mitigate Harry Kane’s exit nor even blossom as an undisputed starter right away, but he’s a fine young talent with Premier League experience who fits in with what Ange is trying to build in north London.

Tottenham have boasted an interest in Johnson all summer, with 90min reporting last week that Spurs are leading the race to sign the Nottingham Forest forward.

A whole host of clubs, including Chelsea, Brentford and Atletico Madrid, have considered a move for the Welsh international, but Forest’s asking price has so far proven to be a stumbling block. They want £50m for Johnson’s sale given his importance to Steve Cooper’s side, although there’s a willingness on their behalf to sell.

As Johnson is a homegrown talent, garnering a big fee for his sale would go a long way to balancing their books amid Financial Fair Play concerns.

Johnson is said to be keen on a move, although Spurs are expected to haggle and try and acquire the forward for less than Forest’s current asking price. Thus, many believe this is a deal that, if it’s struck, will happen in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

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