Nottingham Forest’s scouting team is optimistic about the possibility of replacing Brennan Johnson, who departed for Tottenham on the recent transfer deadline day. Johnson had been a standout performer for Forest over the past two seasons, contributing significantly with 19 goals during the 2021/22 promotion campaign and scoring eight times in the Premier League last season.
Now 22 years old, Johnson aims to make a name for himself at Tottenham, but he is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury shortly after joining the club.
Replacing Johnson was a challenging task for Forest, given his integral role. However, the club’s scouts seem to believe that two promising talents have the potential to step into his shoes.
According to a report from The Athletic, the recruitment team at Forest had a particular view during the summer transfer window. It has been revealed that Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi are the two players considered as potential replacements for Johnson. The article suggests that while these two players may not possess the exact same style as Johnson, the combination of Elanga’s pace and Hudson-Odoi’s direct approach makes them suitable candidates to replicate his qualities.
While Johnson’s contributions to Forest were highly appreciated, the club is now focused on moving forward and leveraging his departure to make beneficial transfers.
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The responsibility falls on Steve Cooper to devise a strategy that ensures Forest doesn’t feel the absence of Johnson too keenly. There is a prevailing belief that Elanga and Hudson-Odoi both possess qualities that can help fill the void left by Johnson. However, it is acknowledged that both players will need time to fully step into Johnson’s shoes. Elanga has had limited playing time in recent years, and Hudson-Odoi is working to regain his top form.
Steve Cooper appears to be the right person for this task. The latest report suggests that there is a cohesive approach in the recruitment strategy, which should provide a better understanding of the transfer policy, even for the skeptics.