Spurs eye ideal Johnson rival in £17m sensation who’s “a joy to watch”
Tottenham Eyeing Marcus Edwards as Rival for Brennan Johnson
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing former youth player Marcus Edwards from Sporting CP for around £17 million, with the aim of providing competition for Brennan Johnson. This move reflects Spurs’ intent to enhance their squad depth and foster internal competition, which could drive both players to new heights.
Revitalized Style Under Postecoglou
Under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham have shifted back to an exciting, attacking style of football, moving away from the more defensive tactics of previous managers like José Mourinho and Antonio Conte. To sustain and build on this momentum, the club needs to bolster their squad with the right talents.
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Edwards’ Potential Transfer
According to reports from Portugal, Tottenham view Edwards as a solution to their home-grown player requirements. The transfer fee, estimated at around €20 million (approximately £17 million), is seen as reasonable. Edwards’ return to England would be beneficial for all parties involved, providing Tottenham with a skilled winger who is familiar with the club’s culture and environment.
Edwards vs. Johnson: A Statistical Comparison
Edwards and Johnson would primarily compete for the right-wing position, though both are versatile enough to play in multiple attacking roles. Comparing their performances provides insight into what each player could bring to the team.
**2022/23 Season Stats:**
– **Marcus Edwards:**
– Appearances: 51
– Goals: 12
– Assists: 14
– Goal Involvements per Match: 0.50
– **Brennan Johnson:**
– Appearances: 44
– Goals: 10
– Assists: 3
– Goal Involvements per Match: 0.29
**2023/24 Season Stats:**
– **Marcus Edwards:**
– Appearances: 44
– Goals: 6
– Assists: 9
– Goal Involvements per Match: 0.34
– **Brennan Johnson:**
– Appearances: 38
– Goals: 5
– Assists: 10
– Goal Involvements per Match: 0.39
**Underlying Metrics (per 90 minutes):**
– **Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists:**
– Edwards: 0.74
– Johnson: 0.73
– **Progressive Passes:**
– Edwards: 5.23
– Johnson: 2.83
– **Shots on Target:**
– Edwards: 0.94
– Johnson: 0.74
– **Shot-Creating Actions:**
– Edwards: 5.96
– Johnson: 2.98
– **Goal-Creating Actions:**
– Edwards: 0.87
– Johnson: 0.62
Edwards generally outperforms Johnson in several key areas, such as non-penalty goals, progressive passes, and shot-creating actions. While Johnson excels in assists and has a slightly better goal involvement per match this season, Edwards’ overall contributions suggest a high potential impact.
Conclusion
Bringing Marcus Edwards back to Tottenham could provide the necessary competition for Brennan Johnson, pushing both players to elevate their game. Edwards’ familiarity with the club and his impressive stats, despite playing in a weaker league, indicate he could be a valuable addition to Postecoglou’s squad. If Spurs can finalize this £17 million deal, it would be a strategic move to strengthen their attacking options and maintain their exciting style of play.