International boss backs Spurs star to emulate Arsenal legend Robert Pires

Craig Bellamy backs Brennan Johnson to emulate Arsenal legend Robert Pires in one important way. He also explains why the Tottenham star belongs among the ‘elite’ in world football.

Brennan Johnson has forced critics to eat their words

It was just a little over a month ago that Johnson was coming under scathing criticism from parts of the media and even from some Spurs fans.

In fact, he even decided to deactivate his Instagram account due to the deluge of criticism he was receiving online.

Since then, the 23-year-old has well and truly silenced his critics, having found the back of the net in six consecutive games for Tottenham. He even netted in a seventh match in a row if you count his Wales tap-in.

What makes Johnson elite

Former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw does not think that it is a coincidence that Johnson’s decision to delete social media has led to an upturn in form.

He told BBC Radio Wales (via Squawka) about the Tottenham man’s turnaround: “It’s no coincidence for him because I think the reason he deactivated it was because of all the negativity and everything was going into his game and overthinking. And then all of a sudden he was thinking about that as he was playing.”

Meanwhile, Bellamy has insisted that the intensity that Johnson plays with puts him in the highest bracket among players in the world, insisting that he is worth every penny that Tottenham paid for him.

The Wales boss said: “He’s a good footballer, he has ridiculous talent, his high intensity is through the roof, it is elite. Spurs have paid that money for him.

“Now he could have a bad two years but trust me, if I’m in a [club manager] job I’ll go and buy him for that. He’s got every part of football that’s going to make him elite and that’s the player I see.”

Johnson backed to emulate Robert Pires

Bellamy pointed out that even footballers who go on to become world-class players often do not find it easy to start when they move to a big club.

He pointed to Pires’ rise at Arsenal after a difficult start as something that Johnson could emulate on the other side of North London.

The 45-year-old added: “Once you move from a different scenario, a different club, sometimes you hit the ground running, but sometimes it takes longer. I remember Robert Pires for a whole season was a waste of money.

“Next one he goes and wins player of the year… it works that way at times. He’s [Johnson] young and I believe all we’re seeing now is just what his talent is allowing. It was going to happen.”

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