After the most impressive Premier League goal scoring return of his relatively fledgling career to date, it has been all change for Brennan Johnson this summer.
The Welshman netted 18 goals across all competitions for Tottenham Hotspur during what was a mixed 2024-25 campaign for the north Londoners.
Johnson bagged the decisive goal as Spurs defeated Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to win the Europa League - their first trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2008.
But their domestic demise led to Ange Postecoglou being dismissed following the conclusion of a top-flight campaign in which Spurs lost 22 of their 38 matches to finish 17th in the table - their worst ever finish in the Premier League era.
Having relieved the Australian of his duties, chairman Daniel Levy wasted no time in raiding London rivals Brentford for Thomas Frank - with the Danish boss tasked with resurrecting Tottenham's league fortunes.
Johnson will undoubtedly be a key part of Frank's plans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and George Elek from DragonSports and the NotTheTop20 podcast believes the manager's track record of improving attacking talents such as Ollie Watkins, Bryan Mbeumo and Said Benrahma could stand Johnson in good stead.
"Thomas Frank is a manager who, both in his time in the EFL and in the Premier League with Brentford, has shown an attitude for getting wide players to be disruptive in terms of their goal scoring and creative assets," Elek told Dragon Sports.
"Down that line, it could be a really exciting appointment for Johnson."\
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One key concern raised by Elek though is Johnson's position.
He noted the potential issue that Frank has tended not to deploy out-and-out wingers in the mould of Johnson during his time at Brentford.
"He's (Johnson) a player last season who, for Wales playing up front but generally played on the right-hand side for Tottenham, and is probably seen in his best position as a genuine winger on that right-hand side," added Elek.
"They've (Tottenham) gone out and bought [Mohammed] Kudus who, despite playing quite a lot through the middle at West Ham, it seems like he's been brought in to play off that right-hand side.
"This is a bit of a pattern for Thomas Frank's wingers where it's very rare that he plays with a wide player playing on their natural side.
"Even though that means Brennan Johnson, who normally plays off the right, could play off the left, it's not really a position we've seen him play that often.
"I'd be surprised if we see him play as a genuine wide player. What may be more likely is that he's employed as another striking option, through the middle.
"I think Frank will enjoy working with him, but my one concern is his profile of being an old fashioned winger playing on their natural side, it's rare to see Frank use that in a player, so I think we might see him shift position.
READ MORE: Brennan Johnson’s Spurs Try Rallying The Troops After Latest Setback
Nevertheless, Frank has a rich history of using his coaching nous to improve talent in the EFL and in the top-flight.
And the playing styles of Postecoglou and Frank differ too.
According to FBREF, Spurs averaged 54.7% possession in the Premier League last season, the fifth-highest amount in the division. Brentford under Frank averaged 47.9% possession in the top-flight last term, with only five sides averaging less.
It means Johnson could get more opportunities to use his explosive pace on the break under Frank.
"It's not necessarily youth development, it's just player development that Frank is incredibly strong at," added Elek.
"In terms of playing style and the way I expect Spurs to play under Frank, it won't be the possession at any cost style that we saw from Postecoglou for the most part of his reign.
"I think we'll see Spurs happy to sit out of possession and attack in transition relatively often, and we know that Johnson is really adept in running behind and capitalising on that space."
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