The excitement over Crystal Palace’s debut European campaign has slightly dissipated following a frustrating league phase in the Europa Conference League. It was expected that the Eagles would have no issues sealing their place in the knockout rounds.
That wasn’t the case after Palace finished 10th, winning three and losing two of six games. Just two points was the difference for Oliver Glasner’s men between a place in the last 16 and the play-offs.
The South Londoners face Bosnian outfit Zrinjski Mostar in the first-leg of their play-off tonight (February 19th). Glasner and his troops have travelled to Bijeli Brijeg Stadium and one of his players will be keen to silence his critics.
Zrinjski vs Crystal Palace: Johnson’s justification
Crystal Palace swooped for Brennan Johnson in the January transfer window. The Welsh attacker arrived from Tottenham Hotspur for £35 million.
The 24-year-old has struggled to impress since making the move to Selhurst Park. He’s without a goal or assist in eight appearances and started on the bench in a 3-2 loss to Burnley last weekend.
There’s no doubt Johnson is a talent who previously showed this at Nottingham Forest. He was one of the Tricky Trees’ standout performers in his debut Premier League campaign, posting eight goals and three assists in 38 games.
Johnson moved to Spurs in the summer of 2023 for £47.5 million and made a promising start under Ange Postecoglou. He managed five goals and 11 assists in 32 league outings.
Last season was a difficult one for the Welshman who came in and out of the Lilywhites’ team. But he scored one of the most important goals in the club’s history when he netted the winner in a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final.
Johnson failed to win over Thomas Frank this season and the North Londoners agreed to sell to Palace. He is still enduring a lack of form and tonight’s game against Zrinjski gives him the perfect opportunity to justify the hefty fee the club paid for him.
Under the cosh
Palace’s decision to move for Johnson was viewed as a bold decision given his struggles at Spurs. He was part of a Lilywhites side that faltered under Frank and had finished 17th in the league last season under Postecoglou.
Johnson was given a fresh start when he arrived at Selhurst Park and the club’s chairman Steve Parish explained why he was signed. He told the club’s media:
“I’m delighted that Brennan has joined us at Crystal Palace – an exciting young talent with an excellent recent record in domestic, continental and international football.”
Johnson has fared well in Europe, posting five goals in 13 Europa League outings. He has experience in European competition and a Europa League winners’ medal to boast.
The Welsh star’s slow start with the Eagles hasn’t gone unnoticed. FootballFanCast said that he looked like “wasted money” following the 3-2 loss to Burnley last weekend.
The pressure is on Johnson to start replicating the type of form displayed during his Forest spell. He could be expected to start in Bosnia tonight and if he does he needs to impress.
