Tottenham Hotspur stumbled into 2026 with a performance that summed up many of their problems this season. A goalless draw against Brentford offered very little entertainment and even less quality, leaving supporters frustrated and searching for answers.
Over 90 minutes, Spurs failed to create a single clear-cut chance, managed just two shots on target, and ended the game with less than half of the possession. It was one of those afternoons where everything felt flat, slow, and predictable, and it raised serious questions about the makeup of the squad and the direction the club is heading in.
Against that backdrop, it is understandable why many fans are confused about the decision to sell Brennan Johnson. On paper, Johnson looks like a player worth keeping.
He was Tottenham’s top scorer in the 2024/25 season with 18 goals and has found the net 27 times in 106 appearances for the club. Those numbers suggest productivity, reliability, and a goal threat that Spurs badly lacked against Brentford. However, football is about more than just goals, and this is where the problem lies.
Johnson’s strengths are very specific. He is good at drifting into space at the far post and finishing chances when they fall his way. That instinct has served him well at times, but outside of those moments, his overall contribution has often been disappointing.
In matches where Spurs need creativity, control, and composure on the ball, Johnson has struggled to make an impact. His link-up play is limited, his passing in tight areas lacks quality, and he rarely creates chances for teammates.
This season alone, the numbers tell a worrying story. Across 16 Premier League appearances, Johnson has scored just two goals and failed to register a single assist. He averages less than half a key pass per game, which highlights how little he contributes creatively.
For a modern winger in a top Premier League side, that simply is not enough. Tottenham need wide players who can carry the ball, beat defenders, create chances, and help control games, especially when space is limited. Johnson does not offer that balance.
When you look deeper at his underlying metrics compared to other wingers and attacking midfielders across Europe’s top leagues, the picture becomes even clearer. Over the past year, Johnson ranks near the bottom in most possession-based and chance-creation categories.
That is not the profile of a player you build an attack around. In that sense, accepting Crystal Palace’s £33.5m offer looks like sensible business. Spurs can reinvest that money into a more complete winger who fits the demands of Thomas Frank’s system.
But Johnson should not be the only one under scrutiny. The Brentford game also highlighted another issue that Tottenham can no longer ignore. Pedro Porro’s performance was another reminder of how costly his style of play can be. Porro has energy, confidence, and attacking intent, but those positives are increasingly outweighed by his carelessness in possession.
Against Brentford, Porro attempted three crosses and failed with all of them. He created no big chances, made just one key pass, and gave the ball away 18 times.
That kind of wastefulness constantly puts pressure back on the defence and disrupts any rhythm Spurs try to build. For a full-back who plays such an important role in buildup and attacking phases, those numbers are alarming.
Across the entire Premier League this season, no player has lost possession more often than Porro. This is not an isolated issue or a one-off poor game. It has been a pattern throughout the campaign, and opposing teams have learned to exploit it by pressing him aggressively.
Below is a look at the players who have lost possession the most in the Premier League this season:
| Player | Possession Lost |
|---|---|
| Pedro Porro | 361 |
| Elliot Anderson | 341 |
| Kyle Walker | 336 |
| Mohammed Kudus | 327 |
| Yankuba Minteh | 323 |
| Lucas Paqueta | 303 |
These numbers are damning. Porro has given the ball away at least 20 more times than any other player in the division, regardless of position. That level of inefficiency is difficult to justify, especially when it is combined with defensive errors. He currently leads the league in mistakes that have directly led to shots for the opposition, which underlines how risky his play has become.
There is reported interest from Manchester City, and if that interest turns into a serious offer, Tottenham should not hesitate. Just as they are willing to cash in on Johnson, Spurs should be ready to move Porro on while his market value remains high. Selling him could free up funds to sign a more balanced full-back who offers control, security, and smarter decision-making.
The draw against Brentford was a clear warning. Tottenham lack creativity, composure, and efficiency in key areas. Moving on from players who do not fit the long-term vision, even if they have delivered moments in the past, may be painful, but it is necessary. If Spurs want to move forward in 2026, tough decisions like these will define whether they stagnate or finally start building a team capable of controlling games and competing at the top again.
