Tottenham gem Brennan Johnson told what he has to show Ange Postecoglou amid ‘struggle’ verdict
Tottenham gem Brennan Johnson has to show Ange Postecoglou that he can consistently impact games from the bench to start consistently in North London.
The Welshman came off of the bench to score Spurs’ stoppage-time winner in their 2-1 win over Brighton last time out, slotting home Son Heung-min’s ball into the penalty area for his third Premier League goal of the campaign since arriving from Nottingham Forest.
Johnson has started 16 of Spurs’ 24 league matches since making the switch to North London this summer, with the 22-year-old and Dejan Kulusevski sharing duties on the right flank as Postecoglou continues to experiment with his attacking options.
While Hutton admits that the “massive competition” in Spurs’ side will make it hard for the Wales international to hold down a consistent role in the starting XI, he thinks his recent displays have shown that he should start ahead of the Swede against Wolves.
“I think it is important,” Hutton told Tottenham News.
“You heard him speaking about it after the game, he just said that he just lifted it enough to get it over the goalkeeper and it was one of those where if you’re not concentrating it could have gone anywhere.
“I’m happy for him to get on the scoresheet, but I think it’s the competition that’s there. If you’re not playing at that high level, you’re going to struggle to get into the team so that is his main focus.
“Whenever he gets an opportunity, whenever he gets the minutes on the pitch, he has to show the manager that he’s capable and I think that’s what he has been doing.
“He’s different from the likes of Kulusevski, he’s got that out-and-out pace, but he’s got massive competition behind him so it is going to be difficult to try and hold onto his place week in and week out.
“But that’s why you have a squad when you’re competing on different levels and in different competitions, you need a strong squad.”
Brennan Johnson still has a point to prove at Tottenham
Since arriving at Spurs, Johnson has been criticised for a lack of end product, with several fans and pundits pointing out his rashness in the final third, which has seen him spurn several excellent goal-scoring chances in crucial matches.
The forward was not a cheap addition this summer, costing Tottenham a reported £47.5million [Sky Sports, 1 September], but with two goals in his last three appearances, he has shown that he can add value to the team on a consistent basis.
It might be “difficult” for Johnson to prove himself, but his recent displays will have surely earned him a start against Wolves on Saturday (17 February).
In other Tottenham news, Hutton expects Postecoglou to axe Timo Werner when Spurs face Wolves
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