‘Inexperience’: BBC pundit questions £20m ‘real talent’ Tottenham want

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Chris Morgan feels Nottingham Forest ace and reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Brennan Johnson ‘showed his inexperience’ at Sheffield United on Friday, speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield (04/03, 20:22).

Forest visited Bramall Lane to kick off the weekend looking to break back into the play-off positions. But Johnson spurned a great chance to hand Steve Cooper’s side the lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd-minute.

Josh Smith pointed to the spot in the first-half after Rhys Norrington-Davies brought Djed Spence down in the box. But Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham saved his teammates’ blushes by denying Johnson.

Johnson simply sought to strike his spot-kick down the centre of the goal. Yet Foderingham did not move and calmly patted the ball down to gather it with ease. Billy Sharp then gave the Blades the lead in the 69th-minute.

Ryan Yates ensured Nottingham Forest did not leave Sheffield without a point, though. He headed home in the fifth-minute of stoppage-time to snatch a richly-deserved draw. But a point keeps Forest outside of the play-off places.

Morgan feels Tottenham target Johnson ‘showed his inexperience’ for Forest

Johnson had forced Foderingham to make a save just 60-seconds into Nottingham Forest’s trip to Sheffield United. The 20-year-old also stepped up confidently for their penalty, but could not build on his 10 goals this season.

The Wales star’s efforts so far this term have drawn Premier League interest, though. Alasdair Gold of football.london noted last month Tottenham watched Johnson in action for Nottingham Forest in view of a transfer.

The City Ground side are loath to losing Johnson, however, with The Athletic citing a £20m price tag. Even though the seven-cap star is out of contract in 2023. But talks are underway over an extension, per the Standard.

Johnson still has some rough edges to polish, despite Tottenham’s transfer interest in the Nottingham Forest star. Ex-Blades defender Morgan is a fan, but is aware he lacks in areas that only further game time will bring.

“It’s a brilliant bit of play by Djed Spence to get into that position, but I think he’s looking for it,” Morgan said. “Johnson then went for a bit of a chip and although I think he’s a real talent, he showed his inexperience there.”