
Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson has endured a ‘stop-start’ campaign under Thomas Frank this season. The Welshman began the campaign brilliantly, scoring in each of his first two Premier League matches for the Lilywhites. But the 24-year-old has since struggled to maintain that level at N17, slipping down the pecking order and losing his starting spot on the left flank to Wilson Odobert.
Johnson was one of the standout performers for the North Londoners last season, playing a key role in their unlikely Europa League triumph. He finished as the club’s top scorer in all competitions with 18 goals, including the winner in the final in Bilbao. So, it is clear that he knows how to find the back of the net if he receives the ball in the right areas.
However, the main issue in the Welshman’s game is that he lacks a few key attributes needed to become a world-class winger. The 24-year-old often goes missing when deployed out wide, struggling to create chances or consistently threaten in the final third. His inconsistent performances have also prompted Thomas Frank to turn to other options, with Odobert becoming the preferred choice on the left.
Fans remain divided on Brennan Johnson. Some believe his finishing ability makes him vital for Tottenham, while others feel he does not suit Thomas Frank’s system and often looks out of place when played in wide positions. The responsibility therefore lies with the Danish tactician to deploy the 24-year-old in a role that suits him and allows him to perform at his best on a consistent basis.
Frank has insisted he understands Johnson’s strengths but needs to find the right way to integrate the attacker into his system. Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Tottenham Hotspur), the Dane said,
“I’m very aware that Brennan got some very good qualities. One of them is scoring goals and running in behind and arriving in the box. I think I really like everything about him. He’s also scored goals this year as well, four I think in total. So, it’s all about how do we create that team where we perform, how we get the best players in, where do we play them.”
As Frank points out, Johnson thrives when making far-post runs and arriving in the box to finish chances. The Welshman has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, showcasing strong positional awareness and an excellent reading of the game. The Danish manager also admitted that the focus now is to integrate Johnson’s qualities into the team more consistently and find a role in the starting eleven that enables him to perform regularly.
Johnson is also determined to silence his critics this season. He already has four goals to his name but will need to add more if he wants to become a regular starter at N17. The 24-year-old is arguably one of the best finishers at the club, but it is up to him to be ready when opportunities arise and to make the most of them in the upcoming matches.
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