Every player at Crystal Palace has a point to prove next season as a new era begins under Pierre Sage, but none more so than Brennan Johnson.
The Wales international is under the microscope after a terrible start to life at Selhurst Park following his £35m move from Tottenham in January, failing to score in 26 appearances for Crystal Palace so far.
A club of our size cannot afford to see such an expensive signing fail, so it is imperative that Sage finds a way to help the Welshman.
Based on what the 47-year-old achieved with a frontline of Wesley Said, Odsonne Edouard and Florian Thauvin at RC Lens last season, however, we are confident the Frenchman can do exactly that.
How can Brennan Johnson make a name for himself at Crystal Palace? 🏴
Pierre Sage’s work with struggling stars bodes well for Brennan Johnson
Before the 2025/26 campaign started, few people had high expectations for RC Lens. Their attack consisted of a 33-year-old Thauvin, who had struggled for 18 months in Mexico with only eight goals in 38 games for Tigres, while Edouard had just been sold by Crystal Palace in a £3m deal after a 2024/25 campaign in which he failed to score in eight appearances.
The aforementioned Said had only netted three goals in 24 appearances for RC Lens in the 2024/25 campaign.
However, all three enjoyed fantastic seasons last term after just one summer of working with Sage.
Thauvin netted 11 goals and provided six assists across 33 appearances in Ligue 1 as RC Lens finished second behind PSG, while Edouard – who has been linked with a return to Selhurst Park – bagged 12 goals and three assists in 29 games.
Said impressively scored 12 goals in 29 games – also setting up two strikes – a significant improvement on his tally of three goals in 24 appearances for the same side just one season before.
The fact all three attackers suddenly became a lot more effective and netted double figures as soon as Sage arrived at RC Lens is surely no coincidence.
Describing his preferred way of playing, the Frenchman said last season: “There are two types of teams, one with the ball, and the other chasing it. I prefer to be the first of those teams.
“My three main principles are to play the ball out properly from the back so you have it in ideal circumstances in the opposition half, to look to get behind the opposition defence non-stop and to press your opponents hard so you can win the ball back quickly.”
Johnson is a speedy forward who does tend to find a lot of space when running in behind the opposition backline, but the former Nottingham Forest star’s decision-making often lets him down.
Initial thoughts on Pierre Sage? 🤔
He can boast a 67.5% win ratio from 40 games at RC Lens 😍
Hopefully, with a pre-season working under Sage, the Crystal Palace No.11 can put his difficult start to life in SE25 behind him with a fine 2026/27 campaign.
