Angus is a freelance analytical writer for Football FanCast.
Having graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Sports Journalism in 2022, Angus found a home at FFC after previously writing for Vavel and OurSoundMusic.
A fervent Liverpool supporter, Angus has covered a range of Premier League clubs, from both Merseyside outfits, to the Old Gold of Wolverhampton and the South Coast of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Outside of football, he is a voracious reader and plays the piano.
Tottenham Hotspur have long been regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the Premier League. Daniel Levy was nothing if not a savvy businessman.
However, on-field success left something to be desired, and the incredible Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou last season ended a 17-year wait for silverware, with Brennan Johnson striking the winner against Manchester United in the final.
Football does move at a relentless pace, though, and Johnson is seemingly in the process of packing his bags and leaving N17.
The latest on Brennan Johnson to Palace
Johnson, 24, scored 19 goals in all competitions for Tottenham last season, but he has fallen by the wayside under Thomas Frank’s wing, cast to the sidelines and with only two Premier League goals all year.
Given that his underlying data reveals a player struggling to produce any measure of success in creative and athletic metrics, it’s surely right that he’s shipped on, with Crystal Palace agreeing a healthy £35m fee with the north Londoners for the versatile winger’s transfer.
Johnson has yet to give the green light himself, but all the pointers suggest this one will be wrapped up in the early stages of the January transfer window, giving Spurs co-directors Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici ample time to find a replacement.
Tottenham have already missed out on Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, but they remain ready to pounce on any opportunities that come their way.
However, there may already be an up-and-comer on the books who has the potential to far outstrip Johnson and become a superstar in the Premier League.
Spurs already have a Johnson upgrade
Make no mistake, Tottenham are going to need to dip into the transfer market for a new wide forward sooner rather than later, but in Mikey Moore, they do already have a prospect who may already offer more than Johnson.
The Welsh winger, after all, ranks among the bottom 5% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions, the bottom 14% for progressive passes and the bottom 4% for successful take-ons per 90.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
Moore, conversely, is regarded as a robust and energetic winger, capable, like Johnson, across both flanks and able to blend direct and creative firepower with ease. Currently on loan with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, Moore has been cutting his teeth in a tough environment, with the Scottish giants at a low ebb.
He’s yet to establish himself as a prolific force on the senior stage, but this loan spell in Scotland will do the tricky winger the world of good, and his efforts for Tottenham’s youth set-up underscore his “superstar potential”, as has been noted by scout and analyst Ben Mattinson.
Mikey Moore – Club Stats so Far
Club/level
Apps
Goals (assists)
Tottenham U18
24
19 (13)
Rangers
21
2 (2)
Tottenham
21
1 (2)
Tottenham U21
5
2 (2)
Tottenham U19
5
0 (0)
Data via Transfermarkt
Even though his stint with Rangers has been testing at times, Gers podcaster has praised the “outrageously good” prospect for showing no fear and displaying evident technical quality.
And his fleet-footedness has even led to comparisons with one lightning-quick former Spurs star, with Spurs writer James Harris remarking that Moore could “bring back the old Aaron Lennon” to north London.
Lennon didn’t score much, but he was a ferocious player in his heyday, so dangerous down the wings.
Given that Moore established himself in Postecoglou’s squad last season, featuring 21 times for the seniors and scoring his first senior goal in the Europa League, Frank could be onto a winner with this one, returning to London next summer with the experience to match the innate talent, ensuring Johnson is quickly forgotten.
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