A Tottenham underperformer showed against Brentford why he should be moved on, following Brennan Johnson’s exit.
Such a blunt attacking display from the Lilywhites may leave supporters wondering why Brennan Johnson is poised to join Crystal Palace in a £33.5m deal. Tottenham Hotspur began 2026 in disappointing fashion, settling for a 0-0 Premier League draw against Brentford, managed by former Spurs boss Thomas Frank.
The contest lacked quality throughout. According to Sofascore, neither team produced a single “big chance” across the 90 minutes. Spurs finished the match with just 44% possession and managed only two shots on target.
Johnson was Tottenham’s leading scorer during the 2024/25 season with 18 goals and has recorded 27 goals in 106 appearances for the club overall, as per Transfermarkt.
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Despite those scoring returns, Johnson’s overall contribution has fallen short. While he has shown an ability to find space at the back post and convert chances, his influence in general play has been limited. A lack of creativity and effectiveness in possession, particularly in deeper areas, has reduced his overall attacking impact.
This season, the Welsh international has scored twice in 16 Premier League matches, averaging just 0.4 key passes per game and failing to register a single assist, according to Sofascore. These figures underline his limited creative output. Data from the past 356 days also shows that Johnson ranks among the weakest attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues in most possession- and chance-creation metrics.
That context explains why Tottenham are prepared to accept Palace’s £33.5m offer. However, Johnson is not the only underperformer whose future should be questioned.
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Pedro Porro’s inefficient showing against Brentford further highlighted his struggles and strengthened the case for his departure following Johnson’s expected exit.
In December, TEAMtalk reported strong interest from Manchester City in signing the Spanish defender in 2026, indicating there is market demand for him. His display against Brentford did little to enhance his standing.
Sofascore data shows Porro failed to complete any of his three attempted crosses, produced just one key pass, created no big chances, and surrendered possession 18 times during the match.
Across the season, the right-back has contributed only one assist in 19 Premier League appearances. His attacking output has not matched the frequency with which he loses the ball. Sofascore statistics show Porro has lost possession 361 times in the 2025/26 Premier League season—more than any other player in the division, regardless of position.
That trend was evident again at Brentford, where he completed only 76% of his passes. In addition, Porro leads the Premier League in errors leading directly to shots for the opposition, with five—no other player has recorded more than four.
Taken together, his defensive mistakes and wastefulness in possession suggest that his time at the club may be nearing its end, particularly if significant interest from Manchester City materialises.
