- Brennan Johnson is struggling at Crystal Palace
- Clinton Morrison explains why
- Welshman’s future is already in doubt
Clinton Morrison doesn’t think Crystal Palace will sell Brennan Johnson this summer but admits he’s short of confidence. The Welsh attacker joined the Eagles in January.
Johnson arrived in a £35m deal, a club record fee at the time before Jorgen Strand Larsen’s £48m signing. He endured a tough end to his spell in North London and Palace handed him a fresh start.
The 24-year-old has endured a miserable start to his Eagles career, without a goal and managing just two assists in 25 games. There is already talk over his future despite only arriving earlier this year.
Johnson ‘short of confidence’
Johnson has failed to become a starter, and at such a high price, the jury is out on the Welshman. He shone at Nottingham Forest before moving to Spurs, where he started well but finished poorly.
Morrison gave his verdict on Johnson and whether he could already be on the move in the summer. He told GOAL:
“He just looks like he’s so short of confidence at the moment and nowhere near the level where you saw him at Tottenham… It looks like his confidence has been shot to pieces.”
Morrison pointed out that a new manager will be tasked with trying to help Johnson get back to his best:
“The new manager coming in, hopefully, can get the best out of him next season… He needs to restore some confidence back in him and actually work with him and coach him.”
He added:
“At the moment, he’s probably not enjoying his football because he’s not playing week in, week out and he’s not delivering. It’s hard as a player coming on for 20 minutes, 10 minutes and trying to get momentum.”
Johnson is a versatile attacker who Oliver Glasner has even used at right wing-back during the second half of the season. A summer exit doesn’t seem likely but he’ll certainly be under pressure to prove his worth next season.
Morrison on Johnson returning to Forest
A potential return to Forest was put to Morrison and the Palace legend suggested the club might open the door if the money is good. He responded:
“If Forest decide to go down that route and they have the money to bring Brennan Johnson back home, then why wouldn’t Palace say, ‘have the money and go back to Forest’”
The fact that there is already speculation over Johnson highlights his struggles at Selhurst Park. He signed a four-year contract when arriving from Spurs but looks lost in South London.
Forest is where he made a name for himself, becoming a talisman at the City Ground. He posted 29 goals and 12 assists in 109 games for the Tricky Trees.
