Brennan Johnson starts not guaranteed at Tottenham as 'pressure' detailed
Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson is not guaranteed a starting role in North London despite his recent performances, because of pressure from others in the squad, according to Alan Hutton.
The Welsh winger joined Ange Postecoglou's ranks in a £47.5million move from Nottingham Forest [Sky Sports, 2 September] in the final hours of the summer transfer window but has been in and out of the Spurs starting XI after a slow start in front of goal.
Johnson's fortunes have turned however and having picked up two assists from the bench in Spurs' 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, the 22-year-old returned to the starting XI and scored his fourth league goal of the season in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
While some have suggested the Wales international's form will ensure that he is given a second consecutive start against Fulham on Saturday (16 March) Hutton believes there will be plenty of players looking to take his place.
"That comes with pressure," Hutton told Tottenham News.
"You've got top-class internationals in and around you so if you want to be playing regular football you need to be hitting that level, so the bar is high.
"The thing with Tottenham and what they're trying to achieve moving forward is that they need top players and there always will be players coming into the squad to try and take your place so that spurs you on to try and do well.
"I think he's young, he's constantly learning, he's playing with better players so he's going to get better. It's just about being consistent and I think he has got the capability to do that. It's just whoever is playing better at the moment in time will get the call to be in the starting XI.
"You're always going to have competition and when you do have it, you see it all come together like it did against Villa."
Will Brennan Johnson start for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham against Fulham?
While the backline at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is looking a little bit light following Micky van de Ven's latest injury setback, Postecoglou still remains blessed with a number of attacking options at his disposal.
As Hutton suggested, there are four or five "top class" players all looking for a starting role and that means there is pressure on each and every player to show that they deserve a start week in and week out in the Premier League.
With news emerging that Richarlison is back fit and available for the trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday, that only makes it harder for Johnson to nail down a starting spot as the Brazilian has been in excellent form this season.
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