No dribbles, no shots: Spurs player who gave the ball away 18 times must be sold after Johnson
Tottenham Struggle in Dull Draw, Spurs Fans Frustrated as Key Players Face January Exit
Tottenham Hotspur began 2026 with a lifeless display, grinding out a goalless draw at Brentford in the Premier League.
The result carried extra weight given Brentford are managed by Thomas Frank, Spurs’ former coach. The match offered little excitement, with both sides lacking pace, invention, and attacking impetus.
Stats from Sofascore underline the tedium: neither team created a single ‘big chance’ over 90 minutes. Tottenham also struggled to control the game, finishing with just 44% possession and registering only two shots on target—a worrying return for a side aiming to climb the table.
The uninspiring performance has frustrated fans, particularly amid reports that Brennan Johnson could be on his way to Crystal Palace for £33.5m. Selling one of Spurs’ more consistent scorers seems perplexing given the club’s struggles to create opportunities. Johnson was Tottenham’s top scorer in 2024/25 with 18 goals and has netted 27 times in 106 appearances since joining, according to Transfermarkt—numbers that suggest he should be a key player in a team lacking attacking firepower.
Why Spurs are willing to part ways with Johnson
A closer look explains Tottenham’s readiness to cash in. While Johnson is dangerous in certain areas, particularly at the back post, his influence outside those moments is limited. His finishing and movement can be effective, but he contributes little in build-up play and rarely adds creative spark, often disrupting Spurs’ attacking flow.
This season, those weaknesses have been magnified: Johnson has scored only twice in 16 Premier League games, averages 0.4 key passes per match, and has yet to record an assist, according to Sofascore. For a wide player in a possession-oriented system, those figures are underwhelming.
Underlying stats over the past year are even less flattering. Compared to wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, Johnson ranks near the bottom in possession-based and chance-creation metrics, struggling with dribbling efficiency, progressive passing, creativity, and overall attacking involvement.
From both tactical and financial perspectives, selling Johnson now makes sense under Thomas Frank. Crystal Palace’s £33.5m offer represents strong value for a player with a limited all-around profile, allowing Spurs to reinvest in a winger who can score and create consistently.
Porro could be next to go..
Pedro Porro’s struggles against Brentford further suggest he might be the next January exit. The Spanish right-back endured a poor night, reflecting the broader issues of his season. Reports last month indicated Manchester City are monitoring Porro ahead of a potential move in 2026—a chance Tottenham could exploit while his value remains high.
Against the Bees, Porro failed to make an impact: all three of his crosses missed their target, he produced just one key pass, and created no big chances. His carelessness in possession was alarming, losing the ball 18 times. Across the season, he has one assist in 19 Premier League appearances, far too low for a full-back tasked with providing attacking support.
League-wide stats highlight the scale of the problem. Porro has lost possession at least 20 more times than any other Premier League player, contributing to countless broken attacks. He completed just 76% of his passes against Brentford and tops the league for errors leading directly to shots on goal, with five recorded by Sofascore.
If Manchester City are willing to pay a significant fee, as Crystal Palace seems ready to do for Johnson, Tottenham should consider a decisive move.
Porro’s combination of defensive errors and wasteful possession suggests his value may already have peaked.
With Spurs desperate for more control, composure, and quality, the January window offers a chance to reset. Offloading players like Johnson and Porro may be unpopular, but it could be crucial in building a more balanced and effective squad for the future.