Whereas the spectre of Bale is inescapable with Wales, Johnson had one other unattainable act to observe at Spurs, becoming a member of in the identical switch window that noticed Harry Kane go away for Bayern Munich.
“He got here in at fairly a bizarre time for the membership. I am undecided they actually had an excellent plan for how you can exchange Kane,” says Jack Pitt-Brooke, who covers Spurs for The Athletic.
“Johnson got here in at a tough second however, with accidents to different gamers, he ended up enjoying tons that 12 months and he was truly fairly good.”
It helped that it was then-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou who signed Johnson, who scored 23 objectives in all competitions throughout his first two seasons.
“He fitted what Ange needed from wingers,” Pitt-Brooke provides. “Actually excessive and broad, scoring objectives the place a winger goes down one aspect, pulls the ball again throughout the field, and the alternative aspect winger faucets it in. Johnson was good at each delivering that cross, and in addition tapping it in on the far publish.”
Below Postecoglou, Spurs received the Europa League – with Johnson scoring the winner within the closing towards Manchester United – however the Australian was sacked this summer season after the membership completed seventeenth within the Premier League.
Thomas Frank changed him – and the Dane changed Johnson, with Kudus.
“Frank needs to play a special means, and he needs his wingers to do much more on the ball than simply rating tap-ins,” says Pitt-Brooke.
“Spurs paid £55m for Kudus, who does not rating many objectives, however every part till he will get to the opposition objective is significantly better than Johnson.
“In the intervening time, I do not assume any Spurs fan would have Johnson of their first-choice staff. It is probably not clear the place he matches.”
Johnson has managed 4 objectives in his 17 appearances in all competitions this season however, based on many supporters and pundits, doesn’t supply a lot else.
“He does not actually do lots other than scoring objectives,” says Pitt-Brooke. “There are clearly worse issues to be than a man who’s simply identified for scoring objectives, however I believe individuals would most likely have anticipated him to have finished extra.
“He is a little bit of a thriller.”
