Tottenham Hotspur are ready to attack the January transfer window and, if Thomas Frank does well, they could sign a new forward who can turn his debut season in charge into a success.
However, while new additions are expected in the N17, Spurs are also expected to force one or two of Frank’s first-team players to leave the club, with Yves Bissouma, who has not played at all this season since leaving the club in August, expected to leave again after being filmed inhaling nitrous oxide.
However, it’s also possible that Brennan Johnson is not doing well and could drop down the rankings and leave for reasons that are not so treacherous.
Spurs considering trade for Brennan Johnson
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been a hot topic, but ENIC Group is also keeping an eye on another high-performance winger in Europe.
The versatile Cherries forward has been in fine form in the Premier League this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists for Andoni Iraola’s side.
He has been far more consistent than Johnson, who scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, including the winner against Manchester United in the Europa League final, but has regressed under Frank’s tutelage.
Crystal Palace are interested in signing the Wales international on loan this winter, which could open the door for a replacement for Semenyo, who is attracting the attention of top Premier League clubs.
Indeed, according to Sky Germany, RB Leipzig winger Yann Diomande is on Tottenham’s shortlist for the new year, but top-flight rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are also on the list.
The 19-year-old joined the Bundesliga club this year and has quickly established a prolific form, combining sharpness and formidable physical ability.
Leipzig knew they had a gem on their hands and put a staggering €100m (about £87m) price tag on him. This would make him the most expensive player in London’s history.
Why Spurs should sign Yann Diomande
Diomande, who moved to Germany after a career with Leganes in Spain, has wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the brightest young wide forwards in the game, with seven goals and four assists in 16 games this season.
That includes a recent hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, and it is his natural sharpness in danger zones that has led journalist Bence Boksack to hail him as a “generational talent”.
Diomande is not only more talented than Johnson. He relentlessly outperforms Johnson across a wide range of metrics, and his improved scoring ability could soon overtake the 24-year-old’s outstanding qualities.
A look at how Diomande ranks against a player like Johnson, with the Welshman underperforming in the build-up and play, as well as giving up his ability in front of goal, makes it clear why there is so much interest from vested interests.
League Stats – Johnson vs Diomand | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per match) | johnson | Diomand |
Match (start) | 13(6) | 14(10) |
the goal | 2 | 6 |
assist | 0 | 2 |
touch | 17.8 | 44.0 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 0.4(0.2) | 1.6 (0.9) |
Exact path* | 6.7 (70%) | 21.6 (83%) |
Opportunities created* | 0.4 | 1.0 |
dribble* | 0.2 | 3.0 |
Ball recovery rate* | 0.9 | 4.1 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.1 | 1.4 |
Win a duel* | 1.8 | 4.8 |
Data via Sofascore | ||
There’s no doubt that Johnson has the natural ability to get into promising positions and get his name on the scoresheet, but his overall play this season has been less than good enough. For example, he doesn’t dribble well enough – look at that compared to Diomand’s effort – and he only succeeds on 33% of his rare efforts.
Indeed, Diomand is one of the most exciting dribblers in Europe. He has quick feet and instinctive output when moving the ball forward. Talent scout Jacek Kulig praised the player for having had a “sensational debut season” in Germany.
Tottenham need to achieve this. If they’re serious about becoming a consistent player in the majors at home and abroad, this is the kind of statement signing they need to not only increase production, but rebuild the team’s overall threat.
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