He’s worth £30M: Brennan Johnson is being outperformed by a player Spurs let go for £0
Tottenham Hotspur has long taken pride in its successful academy, known for producing exceptional talent over the years. Among the most notable products is Harry Kane, who became a standout figure at the club.
Kane’s contributions in North London were immense, as he scored 280 goals in 435 appearances. His move to Bayern Munich for an initial fee of £82 million allowed him to pursue opportunities at the highest levels of European football, while providing Spurs with a significant profit.
In the present day, the academy continues to nurture rising stars, with 17-year-old Mikey Moore being the latest talent to break through. Despite his young age, Moore has already made his senior debut for Tottenham, featuring in the Europa League clash against Ferencvaros.
His impressive performance throughout the match suggests that manager Ange Postecoglou might face a selection dilemma in the near future as the young attacker pushes for more first-team opportunities.
While Tottenham’s academy has excelled in developing young players, the club has also found success in the transfer market, particularly with the acquisition of current first-team star Brennan Johnson.
Johnson joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest last summer for a hefty sum of £47.5 million. The pressure on the Welsh winger to succeed was significant, especially given the presence of top-tier talent like Heung-min Son and James Maddison in the squad.
Johnson initially struggled to adapt to life at Tottenham and the demands of Premier League football.
However, in recent months, the 23-year-old has found his footing and made a meaningful impact. Johnson has already scored six goals this season, surpassing his goal tally from his debut campaign at the club.
His resurgence has earned him a regular spot in Postecoglou’s starting eleven, proving that the Australian manager’s patience and trust in the young winger are now paying off. Johnson’s recent performances have made him an integral part of Tottenham’s push to return to the Champions League.
Despite Johnson’s success, another player who once passed through Tottenham’s academy has outshone him this season.
Noni Madueke, a winger with immense potential, was once part of Spurs’ youth setup before being released at the age of 16. Madueke took the bold step of moving abroad to further his career, joining Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.
He quickly rose through the ranks and made a significant impression on PSV’s first team, scoring 20 goals in 80 appearances. This form earned him a transfer to Chelsea in January 2023.
Madueke’s performances this season have eclipsed those of Johnson, highlighting Tottenham’s potential regret in allowing the talented winger to leave for free. Comparing their stats in the current Premier League season shows that Madueke has had the upper hand in several key areas.
| Statistic | Madueke | Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Games played | 7 | 8 |
| Goals scored | 4 | 3 |
| Progressive carries per 90 | 6.4 | 4 |
| Shot-on-target accuracy | 44% | 31% |
| Pass accuracy | 79% | 75% |
| Take-ons completed per 90 | 1.8 | 0.6 |
| Shots on target per 90 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
As the table shows, Madueke has not only scored more goals but also boasts superior shot-on-target accuracy and pass completion rates. His higher number of progressive carries and take-ons per 90 minutes demonstrates his ability to drive the ball into attacking areas with greater consistency than Johnson. A progressive carry is defined as moving the ball at least 10 yards towards the opponent’s goal or into the penalty area, a skill in which Madueke excels.
Due to his excellent form, Madueke’s market value has skyrocketed to £30 million, according to Transfermarkt, indicating his rapid development over recent years.
Tottenham’s decision to release him at 16 may now seem shortsighted, as the 22-year-old continues to impress in the Premier League for one of their rivals. Madueke’s rise has left some questioning whether he could have been a valuable asset for Spurs in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
While Tottenham has benefited from the emergence of players like Johnson, the decision to let Madueke leave could be one the club regrets, especially as they watch him shine at Chelsea.
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