Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson has come under fire after pundit Ian Wright said Nottingham Forest had the better deal in moving him to Spurs.
Wright suggested that Forest’s £21 million purchases of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi are greater value than Tottenham’s £47.5 million purchase of Johnson, claiming that the duo now provide more than the Wales international.
Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, the former Arsenal striker applauded Forest’s work, saying:
“If I’m going to be honest, and this is not being disrespectful to Brennan, Elanga and Hudson-Odoi are both better than him in what they can produce now.”
Johnson, who relocated to North London little over a year ago, has battled to establish his rhythm. His first season was characterized by inconsistency, and his second has began in a similarly unpleasant manner.
The 23-year-old has faced widespread abuse from Spurs fans, prompting him to deactivate his Instagram account following the North London Derby.
Tottenham fans won’t be happy with pundit’s Nottingham Forest comparison
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou promptly defended Johnson, condemning the insults and stating that the young winger is working hard to improve his form. Postecoglou expressed confidence that Johnson will succeed, saying that it is only a matter of time before his hard work pays off.
However, Wright’s words may irritate Tottenham fans who had high hopes for Johnson after his big-money signing. Wright’s claim that Forest have improved on Johnson with the additions of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi would definitely put more pressure on the youngster to perform.
To his credit, Johnson responded to his detractors in the greatest possible way, scoring a last-minute winner in Tottenham’s recent Carabao Cup victory over Coventry City. Although he is clearly going through a difficult period, Johnson’s undoubted potential remains, and Spurs fans will be hoping that this goal marks the start of his comeback.
Nonetheless, analogies to his former Nottingham Forest comrades are unlikely to go down well with the Tottenham fans for now.
