Thomas Frank defends Tottenham’s sale of Brennan Johnson after a 1-1 draw with Sunderland, admitting the squad is ‘light’ and needs reinforcements
TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Thomas Frank defended the club’s decision to sell forward Brennan Johnson after a frustrating 1-1 home draw with Sunderland.
The result was met with jeers from sections of the home support at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Frank sanctioned Johnson’s £35 million move to Crystal Palace this week, despite the Welshman scoring 18 goals last season.
The 24-year-old had lost his starting place to Mohammed Kudus this term, but Kudus was forced off with a left leg injury in the 19th minute against Sunderland.
Ben Davies gave Spurs a first-half lead, but Brian Brobbey’s late equaliser earned a point for the visitors.
“We lacked a little extra freshness,” Frank said, before addressing questions on Johnson’s departure.
“Decisions are made and decisions I’m backing in every aspect. There’s always more bigger picture stuff to some of those decisions.”
He acknowledged the sale’s timing looked poor after Kudus’s injury but stated the decision was made beforehand.
“We took the decision before Mo got injured. Sometimes you can’t delay them if you want to,” Frank explained.
He suggested the sale represented a necessary shift in strategy for the club.
“There was an opportunity to sell a player, which the club hasn’t been that good at in the past. So, there’s just some games where you’re very light and that happens for teams.”
Tottenham sit 13th in the Premier League after the draw, increasing pressure on Frank in his first season.
Fans had previously chanted “boring Tottenham” during a goalless draw at Brentford.
Frank confirmed the club is looking to strengthen its squad during the January transfer window.
“We are really, how can you say, alert. The club really want to see what we can do to strengthen the squad and the team,” he said.
