Tottenham and Nottingham Forest had a busy transfer deadline day, with both clubs doing a lot of business, including improvements to their wide areas.
Tottenham buying Brennan Johnson for £48 million (Sky Sports) forced Steve Cooper’s side to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea for £5 million (The Athletic).
However, Sherwood argues that if he had been given the opportunity to recruit either player 18 months ago, he would have chosen Forest’s new lad, as he told Premier League Productions (05/09/23 at 5:50 pm).
While Johnson would have been in the Championship at the time, Hudson-Odoi has had a difficult few years. He was receiving minutes for England as a teenager but has struggled in recent years, especially at Bayer Leverkusen last season.
That is why Chelsea opted to part ways with the 22-year-old, who is now filling Johnson’s shoes at Forest.
Hudson-Odoi triumphs over Brennan Johnson
“Hudson-Odoi in and Brennan Johnson out,” Sherwood explained. “If you asked me 18 months ago who I would have liked to see at Tottenham, I would have said Hudson-Odoi. I know Brennan Johnson went there, but I would have said Hudson-Odoi.”
“I believe it will be a fantastic swap.” I believe the boy will thrive. They have signed some outstanding players, in my opinion. Elanga has arrived. It’s a wonderful business, in my opinion. They are safe because they have a good management in Cooper.”
Who will have a more successful season? Johnson or Hudson-Odoi?
There will be a lot of pressure on both players at their new clubs, with Hudson-Odoi likely to get more minutes than the Wales international – it has been said that it will take Johnson ‘ten games’ to break into Ange Postecoglou’s first squad.
But it will be intriguing to see how the two get along because, after four Premier League games, both Forest and Spurs have had successful starts to the current season.
You’d expect Tottenham to score more goals now that Postecoglou has rejuvenated the London club, but don’t be surprised if Forest is one of the new season’s dark horses.
