Ange Postecoglou explains Brennan Johnson full Tottenham debut decision in North London Derby

There are not many bigger stages than the North London Derby to make your full debut and yet, forBrennan Johnson, that is the exact task he faces. The forward has been thrown into the starting side for Tottenham as they face rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Johnson joined Spurs in a £47.5million deal on transfer deadline day this summer from boyhood club Nottingham Forest, where he impressed as he rose through the ranks. One season in League One saw him step up to the Championship before promotion to the Premier League.

Eight goals and three assists saw the Wales international hit double figures for goal returns, helping Forest stay afloat in the top flight at the first time of asking. The 22-year-old naturally attracted plenty of interest over the summer transfer window, including from the likes of Chelsea and Brentford.

But it was Tottenham that won the race, backing Ange Postecoglou by landing his top target in the final few days of the transfer market. With plenty of pace on the break, an appearance from the bench saw a glimpse of what he is capable of in the win over Sheffield United.

With that in mind, Postecoglou decided to pick Johnson for his first start and full debut against Arsenal in the North London Derby. The Australian coach explained the decision in an interview with Sky Sports, showing the tactical reasons for the switch on such a huge occasion.

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«Throwing a new player into a big derby is always a good initiation into what it’s like to play for a big club, but Brennan has been training very well,» the head coach