Wales head coach Craig Bellamy insists Brennan Johnson is an ‘elite player’ and believes Arsenal legend Robert Pires endured similar criticism to the Tottenham winger when he first moved to the Premier League.
Johnson was signed by Spurs in a £47.5 million deal from Nottingham Forest just over a year ago and the 23-year-old has come under fire for his inconsistent performances since his transfer.
However, the 23-year-old has been in excellent form in recent weeks, scoring in each of his last five games for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Bellamy has included Johnson in his Wales squad for their upcoming Nations League games against Iceland and Montenegro.
And the Wales head coach feels Johnson is already showing that he is worth his transfer fee for Spurs.
‘His high intensity is through the roof and he is elite,’ Bellamy said.
‘Spurs have paid that money and he could have a bad few years.
‘But if I was in another job and he was worth £80m I’d go and buy him for that.
‘Trust me, he’s got every part of football that makes him an elite player. That’s the player I see.
‘Sometimes you hit the ground running at a club straight away, while sometimes it takes longer.
‘I remember Robert Pires for a whole season was a waste of money and the next season he wins the player of the year. It can work that way at times.
‘Brennan is young and I believe all we are seeing now is what the talent is allowing us to see.
‘It was going to happen and hopefully that continues.’
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