Reported Tottenham target David Brooks has been given the backing of former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who described the Bournemouth forward as the ‘best player on the pitch’ during Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace.
If this Welsh wizard had been fit and firing throughout the 2019/20 season, Eddie Howe’s Cherries might have avoided a relegation battle altogether.
Brooks made his first Premier League appearance in a year as ‘project re-start’ got underway this weekend, producing a mesmeric display that will have Bournemouth fans everywhere wondering what might have been if he had not spent 12 months on the sidelines with a troublesome ankle injury.
The 22-year-old was the one player who looked to have a spark in his boots as Bournemouth suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat at home to Roy Hodgson’s uber-organised Palace team.
And if Howe cannot lead his struggling side to safety, Brooks will surely be offered an escape route.
Tottenham have been interested since 2019.
And, according to the Sun, could renew their interest if the £40 million-rated former Sheffield United youngster can prove his fitness between now and the end of the season.
“He looks like the best player on the pitch, his touches and movements. There’s a lot of positive signs,” Jenas told the BBC’s live coverage (20 June, 7pm).
“When you’ve been out for so long, it’s difficult. But he had the flair, he went by a few people, he looked like the one most likely to make something happen.
“He should be delighted with his first 60 minutes back in a Bournemouth shirt.”
There will be plenty of pressure on Brooks in the weeks to come, particularly as the Cherries will have to battle against the drop without contract rebel Ryan Fraser.
This is a lot to ask, however, of a 22-year-old who has just 61 minutes of football under his belt all season long.
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