Rising Star Brennan Johnson: Powering Nottingham Forest to Tottenham - The Unstoppable Welsh Wonder

"He possesses ambition, hunger, and a strong desire to elevate his game," commented Ange Postecoglou on Brennan Johnson, Tottenham's latest addition. At just 22 years old, this Welsh international has consistently showcased his potential throughout his relatively brief career.

As recently as 2021, Johnson was loaned to Lincoln City in League One. However, he quickly made his mark by achieving promotion with Nottingham Forest in his inaugural Championship season. Subsequently, he left a significant impact on the Premier League during the previous season.

This next step will pose no challenges. Postecoglou commented on Johnson's character, stating that "he will integrate seamlessly with this team." However, the sight of Spurs exploiting Burnley's high defensive line for both the first and last goals in their 5-2 victory on Saturday seemed tailor-made for the new acquisition as well.

When discussing Johnson's performance during his successful season with Lincoln, his manager Michael Appleton emphasized his greatest strength: taking advantage of open space. Appleton described Johnson as a formidable force when running in behind the defense. Leaving him one on one with a large amount of space behind them is not a wise decision. Johnson has the ability to engage two players at once and can swiftly transition from his own box to driving the opposition into their own half, leaving them scrambling to defend.

Johnson's goal-scoring record for Lincoln that season was 13, followed by an impressive 19 goals in his first season as a regular for Forest, and an additional 10 goals last term. It's worth noting that these numbers are remarkable considering he wasn't solely playing as a forward, often fulfilling a role on the flanks. Postecoglou describes him as different from the existing players at Tottenham, highlighting the preference for wingers like Dejan Kulusevski and Manor Solomon, who tend to cut inside and rely on their skill to outwit opponents. Given Spurs' tactical setup, Johnson's profile is intriguing.

He has a knack for outmaneuvering defenders along the flanks, firmly anchoring himself in the wide areas. Tottenham could greatly benefit from this as Postecoglou often prefers utilizing inverted full-backs. This places the onus on the wide forwards to not only stretch the play but also pose a constant threat to the opposition's goal.

Despite the majority of his ball contacts being along the touchline, a comparison of his Premier League heatmap and shot locations reveals that Johnson still manages to find scoring opportunities in favorable positions. His remarkable pace enables him to reach those areas effectively.

The Premier League statistics reveal that Marcus Rashford had the greatest distance covered while dribbling the ball among players with over 150 carries last season. Johnson narrowly surpassed renowned solo dribblers Adama Traore and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Nottingham Forest's counter-attacking game heavily relied on players who could swiftly move the ball forward without relying on intricate teamwork, making it crucial for their success. Appleton emphasized the significance of having players like Brennan who could single-handedly advance the team's position by 40 or 50 yards, alleviating pressure. Unlike some forwards who may lose interest or become disillusioned without proper service, Brennan possessed an exceptional attitude and was always eager to make runs.

Johnson often found himself in situations where he had no other option but to fend for himself last season. The challenge arose from his tendency to carry the ball over long distances at high speeds, as this left him with limited time to assess his options before they vanished. This problem is illustrated by a specific statistic.

Through the analysis of tracking data, the number of passing options a player has upon passing the ball can be determined. Team-mates are regarded as viable passing options if the anticipated completion rate of the pass is equal to or exceeds 80 percent.

Johnson had significantly fewer options than any other player. In fact, he was the sole player with over 150 carries who had less than one passing option on average. As a consequence, attacks were at risk of losing momentum. With increased support, the outcome could have been different.

Presenting these statistics to Steve Cooper in his office earlier this year, he expressed to us: "As a team, it is a progression we aspire to achieve." Johnson now finds himself in a team comprising Heung-Min Son and other teammates who have already undergone this progression.

The £47.5m signing holds an undoubtedly intriguing attribute.

However, the transition to Tottenham presents a challenge in terms of counter-attack opportunities. Departing from the team with the lowest possession rate in the Premier League this season (32%), he now joins a team that averages 59% possession. This shift will undoubtedly put his skills to the test.

On the contrary, there are likely to be increased opportunities when he has possession of the ball. James Maddison's exceptional passing abilities, the presence of teammates in the box, and the surrounding movement all have the potential to make Johnson an even greater threat to his opponents.

His new manager is already convinced of his suitability. "Given his technical and physical attributes, he should integrate seamlessly," stated Postecoglou. Johnson's past career history indicates that he quickly rises to the occasion when confronted with new challenges.