Trundle: Brennan Johnson will thrive under Moyes at Everton

Former Wales striker Lee Trundle believes Brennan Johnson can produce his best form at Everton under the management of David Moyes. Johnson has signed a four-year contract with the Toffees in a deal that saw winger Dwight McNeil move to Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old has scored seven goals in 45 appearances for Wales. Speaking on the BBC's 'Football Festival' podcast, Trundle described the signing as an excellent piece of business, noting that Moyes is the right manager to extract the best from the forward. Trundle, an Everton supporter, suggested that fans will quickly embrace Johnson once he begins scoring, particularly given the team's current need for a clinical presence. Johnson has played in various roles, including winger, wing-back, and centre-forward. Trundle suggests Moyes may deploy him as a number nine, as current strikers Beto and Thierry Small have struggled for consistency. He noted that while Everton create chances, they lack a clinical edge, and Johnson offers the ability to run in behind, create his own opportunities, and link play. Johnson previously played for Nottingham Forest during their 2021-22 promotion campaign under Steve Cooper. He also won the Europa League with Tottenham, scoring the winning goal against Manchester United in the final, and lifted the Europa Conference League trophy with Crystal Palace last season after joining in a club-record deal in January. Former Wales striker Nathan Blake warned that the pressure at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is significant. He stated that Everton fans are demanding and that Johnson must prove himself quickly. Blake added that while Moyes and assistant Billy McKinlay will support him, the pressure will mount if he fails to perform in his first 10 to 15 games. Meanwhile, Dwight McNeil has also signed a four-year deal at Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old scored 15 goals and provided 19 assists in 128 appearances for Everton. Trundle remarked that it was the right time for a change, noting that while McNeil was influential at Burnley, he often appeared inconsistent at Everton due to the intense scrutiny and comparisons with rivals Liverpool.