Thomas Frank is facing the task of getting a fragmented Tottenham side to play at their best.
With the January transfer window now open, Tottenham will be looking to make some signings, though the only news as of late has concerned outgoings.
Kota Takai is heading to Borussia Monchengladbach on loan, Jamie Donley looks set to join Oxford, and Brennan Johnson seems to be edging closer to a permanent move to Crystal Palace.
However, it is the latter of the three moves that has sparked concern, and it will do nothing but increase the pressure on Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham squad unhappy with Brennan Johnson developments
Johnson was an integral component of Tottenham’s Europa League success under Ange Postecoglou, and had it not been for his goals in the Premier League, there is a genuine chance that Spurs could have been playing Championship football this season.
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However, the arrival of Frank in North London changed that, with the Wales international very quickly becoming a squad player at best.
It’s been a stop-start campaign for Johnson, who has started just six Premier League games, with a move to Crystal Palace now pending.
However, according to Alisdair Gold, that pending move has caused unrest in the dressing room at Tottenham, with several first-team players said to be frustrated to lose a “popular” figure.
If Spurs replace him adequately, that unrest may die down, but having seemingly missed out on Antoine Semenyo, it remains to be seen how they will do that.
What’s the latest on Johnson’s move to Crystal Palace?
According to BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel, Johnson’s move to Crystal Palace is “completed”.
Tottenham will receive £35million for his departure, having signed him for £12m more from Nottingham Forest back in 2023.
Johnson completed the first part of his medical on New Year’s Day and is reportedly set to be available for the Eagles when they face Newcastle United on Sunday.
Neither club have confirmed the deal at the time of writing, though official confirmation could come within the next 24 hours.