Tottenham fans won't be happy with pundit's Nottingham Forest comparison
By Manuel Meza
Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson has come under scrutiny after pundit Ian Wright claimed Nottingham Forest got the better end of the deal in selling him to Spurs.
Wright argued that Forest’s acquisitions of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, for a combined £21 million, represent better value than the £47.5 million Tottenham paid for Johnson, stating that the duo currently offer more than the Wales international.
Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, the former Arsenal striker praised Forest’s business, 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 moved to North London a little over a year ago, has struggled to find his rhythm. His first season was marked by inconsistency, and his second has begun in similarly frustrating fashion.
The 23-year-old has received heavy criticism from Spurs fans, culminating in him deactivating his Instagram account after backlash following the North London Derby.
Tottenham fans won't be happy with pundit's Nottingham Forest comparison
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou quickly came to Johnson’s defence, condemning the abuse and insisting that the young winger is working hard to turn his form around. Postecoglou expressed confidence that Johnson will come good, stating that it’s just a matter of time before his hard work pays off.
However, Wright’s comments may strike a nerve with Tottenham fans who had high hopes for Johnson following his big-money move. Wright’s suggestion that Forest have upgraded on Johnson with the signings of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi will undoubtedly add pressure on the youngster to deliver.
To his credit, Johnson answered his critics in the best possible fashion, netting a last-minute winner in Tottenham’s recent Carabao Cup triumph over Coventry City. Although he’s clearly navigating a challenging spell, Johnson’s undeniable potential remains, and Spurs supporters will be hopeful that this goal signals the beginning of his revival.
Nevertheless, comparisons to his former Nottingham Forest teammates are unlikely to sit well with the Tottenham faithful for now.