This summer, Tottenham Hotspur signed a centre-forward (Dominic Solanke), two left-backs (counting Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert) and two highly talented 18-year-old midfielders (Archie Gray and Lucas Bergwall).
But there was no new right-winger. The plan was always for Brennan Johnson, who started Spurs’ first two Premier League games, to begin the season as the preferred right winger, sharing minutes with Dejan Kulusevski.
For some Tottenham fans, this is a source of frustration. They would rather see a ready-made superstar in that role, someone who can step in and win games on his own. Johnson almost fell victim to the club’s reluctance to re-sign him. The team looks set for a second season under popular manager Ange Postecoglou, but Johnson has been the target of complaints from the minority.
But that view ignores the reasons why the 23-year-old Wales international is so popular with Postecoglou and why he has become such an important part of the Spurs squad.
In the end, Johnson gives Postecoglou what he wants from a winger. In Australia’s structured positional game, it requires at least one winger to stay high and wide, stretch the play and create space for the “inverted” midfielder or full-back. And when the ball is on the other side of the pitch, the idea, in very general terms, is for the opposing winger to attack the back post and potentially convert a low cross.
And there is no doubt that Johnson is following Postecoglou’s instructions to the letter.
There is a lot to be said about Kulusevski as a footballer, but he is not particularly quick, he is too left-footed and his instinct is usually to get inside the ball.
Kulusewski is a technically brilliant player, but you often get the impression that he is just a man trying to find his way in such a co-ordinated and coordinated world. Johnson, in addition to his reliability, presence and defensive efforts, provide a clear vision of what his coach wants.
Johnson celebrates scoring in a 4-0 win over Aston Villa in March (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
That was evident last season, when Johnson put up respectable numbers in his first year at Spurs. It was no easy feat to leave Nottingham Forest for a hefty fee at the end of the window when the season was already three weeks old.
The plan was to be patient and ease him in, but early injuries to Ivan Perisic and Manor Solomon left Tottenham short-handed in wide areas and Johnson played less than expected. He started 13 consecutive games in all competitions from early November to late January, and by the end of that run he looked to be lacking confidence.
It took some magic to resurrect Johnson’s season on the bench. He started as a second-half substitute and looked much calmer and more comfortable, running at tired defenders and directing plays in the Spurs’ direction.
On 31 January he came on at half-time when Tottenham lost 1-0 at home to Brentford. But he arrived early, attacked the far post, turned Werner’s line and beat his team 2-1. They won 3:2.
Ten days later, Spurs hosted Brighton, again falling behind early and Johnson coming on after the hour. When he timed his long run, he found Son Hung-min’s goal and scored the winner in the 96th minute. It was one of the highlights of the season for Tottenham. And then, when they fell behind at home again, this time to Crystal Palace a few weeks later, Johnson won the ball back, dribbled past two defenders and from one of those low passes Werner equalised. Tottenham won 3-1.
After that game, Postecoglou said those moves – a low cross that ended up at the far post – did not happen “by accident”. It was the reward of months of hard training. And it was clear how Johnson fit into Postecoglou’s plan.
The manager also praised how Johnson “understands the demands of the position better, which is a little bit different to what he’s used to.” At Forest, especially during the 2021-22 campaign, Steve Cooper gave his compatriots the freedom to choose how they wanted to attack when in possession. Coming to Tottenham was another challenge.
By the end of last season, Johnson was a regular at Tottenham, starting 10 of the last 12 games and even moving to the left late on when Son was playing through the middle.
Johnson finished with five goals and 10 assists. Only Son has scored more Premier League goals for Spurs. You could even argue that Johnson should have registered 11 assists, as one of his classic low passes on March 30 was headed in by Luton Town’s Issa Kabore, with Werner right behind him, but the pass was deflected into his own goal by the defenders. They are not considered assists.
Only Ollie Watkins (13) and Cole Palmer (11) had more assists in the majors than Johnson last season.
You can see in these graphics how dangerous it was from that area near the line.
Even now, however, the start of Johnson’s second season in north London appears to be on track.
Anyone who has seen him in action in the jungle knows what an exciting and innovative player he can be in the right circumstances. And if he is to secure that place in the Spurs team this season, Johnson will need to show the confidence to be the cause and effect of scoring goals. He has all the ability to embarrass defenders, but often doesn’t want to.
Johnson had some bright moments in the first two games.
Against Leicester he came close to giving Spurs the lead with a clever shot that was well saved by Mads Hermansen. Shortly afterwards he pounced on James Maddison’s free-kick and headed it straight at goal, inches away from a smart assist. And then, against Everton on Saturday, it was Johnson who started the move that led to the opening goal, advancing down the right, inside the area and combining with Maddison and Kulusevski, who eventually set up Yves Bisuma.
Like many attacking players at this stage of the season, it seems that one or two early goals is just what Johnson needs. But if he starts well and develops more of the confidence he shows at his best, then he could move on to another level over the next nine months, not only as a perfect executor of the manager’s plans, but also as a consistent match-winner.
If he does, the debate over his place on the team will move to someone else.
GO DEEPER
Performances will always be Postecoglou’s priority
Additional information: Mark Carey
