Next Harry Kane: Tottenham have now hit the jackpot on amazing new £100m + star in the making
Tottenham Hotspur has long been a breeding ground for exceptional talent, boasting players capable of single-handedly changing the course of a game. While these players haven’t always delivered trophies, their performances have led to impressive transfer fees for the North London club.
Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, for example, thrilled fans before their high-profile moves to Real Madrid, while Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick transitioned to Manchester United, making significant impacts. The latest big-name departure, however, is none other than Harry Kane.
Kane’s journey with Spurs began back in 2004, three years after his release from rival club Arsenal. Over seven years, Kane developed within Tottenham’s youth setup, eventually heading out on loan to Leyton Orient in 2011.
Following a series of loans, he finally earned a starting spot in the 2013-14 season. Kane’s breakout came in the following season, when he tallied 31 goals and five assists in 51 appearances, solidifying his role as Tottenham’s main man.
Throughout his career with the club, Kane amassed 280 goals and 61 assists in 435 appearances, averaging a goal involvement nearly every 1.27 games.
Kane’s unparalleled goal-scoring prowess made him one of the world’s most coveted strikers. His eventual transfer to Bayern Munich, in a deal worth approximately €100 million (around £86.4 million), brought a windfall to Tottenham.
Though the loss of such a prolific scorer is significant, the financial return offered some solace. While current manager Ange Postecoglou might lack a talent of Kane’s caliber, there’s speculation that Brennan Johnson could eventually command a similar fee.
Johnson joined Spurs last summer from Nottingham Forest for around £47.5 million. Although he had a slow start, he ended the season with five goals and ten assists over 34 games.
This season, Johnson has ramped up his performance, scoring seven goals in just 15 games, despite a modest beginning. His impressive form has led to comparisons with top-tier wingers like Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
Despite this, the comparison is apt; both players exhibit a propensity for running directly at defenders, looking for opportunities to shoot or create chances in the box.
Statistics from FBref underscore the similarities between Johnson and Martinelli, detailing aspects like shots on target, expected goals and assists, passes into the penalty area, and more.
| Statistic (per 90) | Brennan Johnson | Gabriel Martinelli |
|---|---|---|
| Shots on Target | 1.03 | 0.74 |
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists | 0.61 | 0.48 |
| Goals per Shot on Target | 0.44 | 0.40 |
| Passes into the Penalty Area | 1.95 | 1.47 |
| Passing Accuracy | 70.9% | 71.9% |
| Live Passes | 25.1 | 27.9 |
| Successful Take-On Percentage | 35.3% | 38.2% |
| Carries into the Penalty Area | 2.64 | 2.35 |
| Carries | 21.6 | 24.4 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0.80 | 0.88 |
These comparisons, while close, highlight Johnson’s potential. Although Martinelli’s passing accuracy and dribbling success slightly edge out Johnson’s, Johnson has shown stronger stats in key areas like shots on target and passes into the penalty area.
According to CIES Football Observatory, Martinelli’s market value stands around €127 million (£107 million), suggesting Johnson could command a similar fee in the future if his performance continues to improve.
Given Johnson’s trajectory, he could potentially become Tottenham’s next record-breaking sale, following in the footsteps of Harry Kane. With consistent performances, he might one day match or even exceed his current comparison, providing Spurs with another valuable asset in the transfer market.
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