Former Everton midfielder Barry Horne believes Brennan Johnson has the quality to become an important player for David Moyes, while suggesting the summer signing could offer an alternative option through the middle as Everton look for greater attacking threat.
Johnson has endured a difficult start to his Everton career and has failed to score in nine Premier League appearances. The Welsh winger, who arrived from Crystal Palace in a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil in the summer, has dropped to the bench for recent victories over Newcastle in league and cup.
Horne said Johnson’s career has stalled in recent seasons but believes the move to Everton represents an excellent opportunity for the forward to rediscover his best form.
“Brennan Johnson’s career has stalled a little bit, hasn’t it? And I think that this is a fabulous opportunity for him to get going again,” Horne said to ToffeeWeb in the latest episode of Once a Blue.
The former midfielder also highlighted the potential of Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney, insisting all three have the ability to make a significant contribution, despite struggling for minutes this season.
“Trust me, he’s [Johnson] a good player. Also, if you throw into that, I know he’s been with us a while now, but Tyler Dibling is a very, very good player. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And Hayden Hackney as well.
“That’s David Moyes’ way to a certain extent. If you remember when he brought Phil Jagielka in, when he brought Leighton Baines in, they didn’t necessarily start for quite some time.
“And he introduced them into the team and then they were off and running. I’m hoping that that will happen with this trio.”
It is Johnson’s potential versatility that particularly interests Horne, who questioned whether Everton could use him as an alternative to Thierno Barry in the centre-forward position.
David Moyes has been left with Barry as his only recognised centre-forward this season, after a move for Folarin Balogun collapsed on transfer deadline day. Horne believes Johnson could offer Everton something different in a central role.
“That’s one thing I have sort of questioned. If you’re going to start with Thierno Barry for the time being, if things aren’t working, why don’t we try something a little bit different?
“Like Johnson or [Charly] Alcaraz who, I don’t want to sound too harsh on the lad [Barry], but they are better footballers. At least they can get hold of the ball and technically they’re better.
“David Moyes is going to stick with Thierno Barry, it looks like. I’m wondering if that’s a little bit of a message to the recruitment team. He’s the only centre-forward. I’ve got to pick him. He’s the only forward I’ve got.
“Johnson’s been in a variety of positions. He’s technically very, very good. He’s quick.”
Horne also offered a more measured assessment of Dibling and Hackney, suggesting both may need time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
He believes Dibling has yet to consistently reproduce the level he showed in the Championship, while Hackney may also require time before becoming an established presence in the starting XI.
“I can see that Tyler Dibling, when he starts, doesn’t really dominate in the game like he was in the Championship. So I get that he’s maybe not ready yet. Same with Hackney possibly, but fingers crossed they will come good.”
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