CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PUSH: PALACE TARGETS CRYSTAL PALACE WINGER BRENNAN JOHNSON FOR JANUARY
Crystal Palace is reportedly eyeing Tottenham's Brennan Johnson for a January move. This ambitious bid signals Oliver Glasner's intent for a serious push towards the Champions League.
Crystal Palace's progress under Oliver Glasner is getting interesting. Word is, they're eyeing Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson for a January move, reports The Telegraph. Palace wants to beef up their squad for a real shot at a Champions League spot, and they see Johnson as a good fit.
The talk around Johnson's role at Spurs is shifting. He was signed with high hopes, but he's been spending a lot of time on the bench lately. Of course, this starts rumors swirling as January gets closer.
People have noticed Johnson's situation at Tottenham. He was once seen as an energetic player who could open up defenses, but now it seems he's fallen down the list.
The Telegraph says Palace is considering making a bid for Johnson, which shows they're serious. Glasner wants players who can make an immediate impact, and Johnson's Premier League experience is a plus.
Tactically, Johnson brings speed and can play on either side of the field. This lines up with Glasner's style, which likes quick attacks and wingers who can make decisive runs.
Palace's recent performance has been a standout story this season. Their FA Cup run and solid league form have raised expectations. Palace isn't just looking for backup; they want to be the squad, which is a key difference.
Aiming for Champions League qualification might have seemed like a fantasy before. Now, it's within reach. Adding someone like Johnson in January would show they believe in their project and have faith in where the team is headed.
One line that stands out is that Palace wants players to boost their top four chances. It sends a message that the club knows what it wants and is going for it.
Of course, any deal depends on whether Tottenham is willing to negotiate. Johnson is still valuable, and Spurs would need a good reason to let him go, even on loan. Palace can offer him guaranteed playing time, a good tactical fit, and a high-pressure environment.
The January market often favors those who act fast. Palace seems ready to move early, identifying targets before prices go up and competition gets tougher. Johnson's situation makes him a smart, timely target.
SUNDERLAND CONDEMNS "VILE" RACIST ABUSE AIMED AT BRIAN BROBBEY AFTER SPURS WIN
Brian Brobbey targeted online! Sunderland and the Premier League unite against "vile" discrimination after Spurs win.
Sunderland called out the racist abuse aimed at Brian Brobbey on social media and made it clear they stand fully behind him.
Brobbey was targeted online right after Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. On Monday, the club released a statement: “Sunderland condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist abuse directed at Brian Brobbey on social media following Sunday’s fixture against Tottenham. We stand firmly with Brian and offer him our full and unwavering support.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Sunderland players have had to deal with this kind of abuse this season. After February’s match against Fulham, Romaine Mundle received hateful messages online, and last month the Tyne-Wear derby had to be paused when someone in the crowd reportedly aimed abuse at Lutsharel Geertruida.
The club’s statement continued: “This isn’t an isolated event. The recent abuse aimed at Romaine Mundle and Lutsharel Geertruida shows just how often and how unacceptably this keeps happening, both at matches and on the internet. We’ve reported this latest incident to the Premier League, the social media platforms, and the police, and we expect them to act quickly against the people responsible. Racism is vile, and it doesn’t belong in football or anywhere else. We’ll keep calling it out, clearly and without hesitation, every time it happens. Football should be safe and welcoming for everyone, no exceptions.”
The Premier League is backing Brobbey as well. In a post on their X account, they said they’re “disgusted by the ongoing discrimination” players keep facing online. “We stand alongside Sunderland in strongly condemning the online racist abuse Brian Brobbey has received and have offered our full support to him and the club. We are disgusted by the ongoing discrimination players are facing on social media and are committed to working with clubs, authorities, law enforcement, and social media companies to address this issue, as well as supporting investigations to bring those responsible to justice.
Anyone found guilty of discrimination will face the toughest possible punishments: jail time, football bans, and even a criminal record.”
DAVID MOYES REVEALS "NERVES" AS EVERTON HUNT HISTORIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION SPOT
David Moyes admits Everton's Champions League hunt is nerve-wracking. See the latest on the Toffees' battle for Europe.
David Moyes admits the idea of Everton making the Champions League this soon in their rebuild actually makes him “shake a wee bit.”
You look at the club now, and it's hard to believe where they were just 14 months ago. When Moyes returned, Everton looked beaten down from years of fighting to stay up. Suddenly, with only seven games left, they’re sitting eighth. That spot could mean Europa Conference League football, but after their win against Chelsea before the break, they’re now just three points off fourth. It’s wild to even talk about the Champions League, but it’s right there in reach.
Reporters put the question to him how does it feel to be this close? With Europe’s spots possibly extending down to fifth (or maybe even further, depending on how other English clubs do), Moyes wasn’t hiding his nerves: “It’s probably the best shot we’ve had in a long time. But when I hear ‘Champions League’? Makes me shake a wee bit, honestly. I’ve been lucky to manage in Europe’s other competitions lately, and if we do make it, I’m sure we’d be able to hold our own at certain stages. Still, the Champions League is just on another level.”
Everton’s next match at Brentford looks huge for their European dreams. Brentford beat them earlier in the season, and right now, both teams are level, separated only by goal difference.
Moyes is clearly enjoying this chapter. “Listen, Europe’s Europe. If someone had said at the start, ‘You’re going to get European football,’ we’d have snapped their hand off. It could be the tiddlywinks European cup, and we’d be up for it. Evertonians want the club back in those conversations. We’re getting attention for the new stadium, we’ve got a couple of England internationals getting noticed more, it’s a good time. If we do sneak into the Champions League, it’d be an unbelievable achievement. But honestly, no matter which competition we make, it’s still a big step forward for us.”
