Tottenham Hotspur stumbled into 2026 with a lifeless performance, grinding out a dull 0-0 draw away at Brentford in the Premier League — a result made more awkward by the fact the Bees are managed by Thomas Frank, Spurs’ former coach.
The match offered very little entertainment, with both sides lacking tempo, creativity and any real attacking spark throughout. Sofascore statistics underline just how uninspired the game was, with neither team creating a single ‘big chance’ across the 90 minutes. Tottenham also struggled to assert control, finishing with only 44% possession and managing just two efforts on target — an alarming output for a team aiming to move up the table.
That toothless display has fuelled frustration among supporters, particularly amid reports that Brennan Johnson is edging closer to a £33.5m transfer to Crystal Palace. For many fans, the prospect of selling one of Spurs’ more dependable scorers feels puzzling, especially given the club’s current difficulty in generating chances.
Johnson finished the 2024/25 season as Tottenham’s top scorer, registering 18 goals in all competitions, and has found the net 27 times in 106 appearances since joining the club, according to Transfermarkt. On paper, those numbers suggest a player worth keeping — especially in a side short on confidence and attacking threat.
Why Spurs are willing to let Brennan Johnson go
Looking beyond the headline statistics, however, helps explain Tottenham’s willingness to cash in.
The Welsh forward has a knack for finding space in dangerous areas — particularly at the back post — but his overall influence often fades outside of those moments. While his movement and finishing can be effective, his limited involvement in build-up play and lack of creative output frequently disrupt Spurs’ attacking rhythm.
Those weaknesses have been even more apparent this season. Johnson has scored just twice in 16 Premier League appearances, averages only 0.4 key passes per game and has yet to register an assist, according to Sofascore. For a wide player in a possession-heavy system, those returns are underwhelming and highlight his minimal contribution as a creator.
A broader look at his underlying numbers over the past year paints an even less flattering picture. Compared to attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues, Johnson ranks near the bottom in most possession-based and chance-creation metrics. Areas such as dribbling efficiency, progressive passing, creativity and overall involvement in attacking phases remain clear weaknesses.
From both a tactical and financial standpoint, selling Johnson now aligns with Tottenham’s long-term plans under Thomas Frank. Crystal Palace’s £33.5m bid represents strong value for a player with a fairly limited profile, and that money could be reinvested in a more rounded winger — someone capable of contributing goals while also driving creativity deeper on the pitch.
Importantly, Johnson is not the only player whose future at Spurs deserves scrutiny.
The next Spurs player who should be sold
Pedro Porro’s performance against Brentford only added weight to the argument that he should be the next player moved on during the January transfer window.
The Spanish right-back endured a difficult night, reflecting many of the problems that have characterised his season. TEAMtalk reported last month that Manchester City are keeping tabs on Porro ahead of a possible move in 2026 — interest Tottenham would be wise to exploit while his value remains high.
Against the Bees, Porro struggled to make an impact. Sofascore data shows he failed with all three of his attempted crosses, produced just one key pass and did not create a single big chance. Even more worrying was his carelessness in possession, as he lost the ball 18 times during the match.
This was far from a one-off. Across the campaign, Porro has recorded just one assist in 19 Premier League appearances — a poor return for a full-back whose game is heavily focused on attacking output. His creative contributions simply do not compensate for the frequency with which he gives the ball away.
League-wide statistics emphasise just how costly this has been. Porro has lost possession at least 20 more times than any other player in the Premier League, regardless of position — a staggering figure that highlights how often Spurs’ attacks break down through him. That trend continued against Brentford, where he completed only 76% of his passes.
Defensively, the concerns are equally serious. Porro currently tops the league for errors leading directly to shots on goal, with five recorded by Sofascore. No other player has more than four, raising serious questions about his reliability at the back.
If Manchester City are willing to pay a sizeable fee — as Crystal Palace appear ready to do for Johnson — Spurs should act decisively. Porro’s mix of defensive mistakes and wasteful possession suggests his market value may already be at its peak.
With Tottenham crying out for greater control, composure and quality, the January window offers a chance to reset. Offloading players like Johnson and Porro may be unpopular in the short term, but it could be a necessary step toward building a more balanced and effective squad for the future.
