Why Leeds United should sign Brennan Johnson as a long-term prospect
According to The Athletic (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United are among a host of clubs in England linked with a move for rising Nottingham Forest talent Brennan Johnson.
Premier League rivals Burnley and Championship outfit Brentford are also chasing the highly-rated attacking midfielder. However, that Forest are reluctant to sell him unless a significant bid is put on the table. (The Athletic h/t Leeds Live).
Profile
Brennan Johnson joined Nottingham Forest’s academy back in 2009 aged just 8 and rose quickly through various age-groups at the City Ground. He eventually made his competitive debut as a late substitute against West Brom on the opening day of the 2019-20 Championship season.
After making just 8 appearances in all competitions for Forest in his debut season, Johnson was loaned out to Lincoln City in League One this past summer. The 19-year-old has been making great strides in his development at Sincil Bank, registering 7 goals and 2 assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for the Imps so far this term.
The teenager’s impressive rise in the Football League has also seen him burst on to the scene for Wales at the senior international level. Having previously represented his nation at the U-21 level, Johnson made his senior debut for Ryan Giggs’ side against the USA back in November last year.
Leeds’ youth recruitment drive
In conjunction with Head of Football Victor Orta and manager Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United have made great strides in terms of strengthening at the youth and reserve level.
The Whites have cherry-picked several up and coming prospects from the Football League as well as other leagues across the continent in recent times to lay down a solid platform for the future.
Leeds have also been quite active when it comes to arranging loan deals for the youngsters. The likes of Ryan Edmondson, Mateusz Bogusz, Jordan Stevens, Robbie Gotts and Alfie McCalmont have all progressed as a part of the club’s loan army this season.
Others like Jamie Shackleton and Pascal Struijk have featured in Bielsa’s plans this season. That clearly underlines the results of the hard work that is being put in behind the scenes.
Johnson a solid long-term investment?
Brennan Johnson would be yet another exciting addition to the existing pool of burgeoning young talents at Elland Road. It’s hard to see the Welsh starlet walk into Bielsa’s starting XI in the Premier League just yet. But given his potential, he’d represent a real coup with an eye on the future as far as the Whites are concerned.
The 19-year-old has already started to deliver on his promise at Lincoln City in League One. Ideally, Johnson needs a bit more polishing at the Championship level before making the step up to the Premier League. With Pablo Hernandez nearing his twilight at 35, Leeds should look at the Welsh international as a long-term successor to the Spaniard.
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Johnson already looks like a more developed player when compared to some of the other youngsters in the Leeds set-up. Hence, a potential deal for him would pay off handsomely for Bielsa’s brigade in the years to come.
