Tottenham: Brennan Johnson must step up now after Gabby Agbonlahor talkSPORT rant
Brennan Johnson will have to step up his performances after Gabby Agbonlahor told Tottenham they will need to upgrade him to make progress in the Premier League.
After he was asked whether Spurs could challenge for the title next season, Agbonlahor insisted the club will have to make some top signings to improve, with Johson named as one player they could improve upon.
This is despite the Welshman having recorded 12 combined goals and assists in 20 Premier League starts under Ange Postecoglou so far this season.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [06:14], Agbonlahor shared: “Werner is not at the level they need to be at. Brennan Johnson is an okay player who maybe can come off the bench, he’s not the standard that you need to fight for the title.
“Kulusevski is decent but he’s been struggling recently. They’ve got a top-four capable squad there but to go any higher they need three or four top signings.”
Gabby Agbonlahor shares Tottenham title rant live on talkSPORT
Criticism of Johnson seems to be an easy route to take for pundits recently after Alan Brazil also singled him out after the 1-1 draw against West Ham despite his impressive performances overall – highlighted by Tim Sherwood.
Of Johnson’s five goals and seven assists this season, six have come in his last ten games. This step up in his performances should be enough to prove his worth to the team, but for some, it clearly isn’t.
In the 3-1 win against Forest, even without scoring or providing an assist, Johnson recorded a 0.84 xG total, a 90 per cent pass accuracy, provided two key passes, made two interceptions and two tackles. [Sofascore]
There are certainly areas in which he could improve. Despite the xG total showing he was getting in good positions, the winger missed two big chances to further Spurs’ lead.
He also lost possession 14 times, was successful in just one of his three dribbles at a 33 per cent success rate, won only three of seven attempted duels and recorded a 0 per cent accuracy from his five crosses in the game.
Improvement is always possible in the Premier League, especially with Johson still just 22 years old and in just his second top-flight campaign, but his impressive tally in terms of goal production points to a bright future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the pundits just need to be patient.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou has been told to axe one midfield ace.
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