Tottenham Hotspur are believed to have taken Ryan Johnson on trial.
Stevenage managerial advisor Glenn Roeder (L) in the stands
Tottenham Hotspur had a mystery trialist in their squad for the PL2 match against Everton on Monday evening, believed to be Stevenage’s Ryan Johnson.
Spurs’ youngsters took on Everton at Goodison Park, and were on the receiving end of a 4-1 thrashing as the Toffees ran riot thanks to goals from Ademola Lookman, Bassala Sambou, Kieran Dowell and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The likes of Shilow Tracey, Kazaiah Sterling, Marcus Edwards and Christian Maghoma all featured for Spurs, as did a trialist by the name of Ryan Johnson.
Believed to be Stevenage’s Ryan Johnson, the 20-year-old is a former West Bromwich Albion youngster who plays as a centre back or left back.
A Northern Ireland Under-21 international, Johnson has made just 12 first-team appearances for the League Two club, but has spent time on loan with non-league side Boreham Wood.
Johnson had a trial spell with Manchester United in 2015 (Daily Mail), and now it seems that Spurs are taking a closer look at him as they prepare for the summer transfer window.
General view inside White Hart Lane
Johnson’s trial could have gone better though, as he was on the pitch for three of Everton’s goals, received a booking, and was then subsituted on 77 minutes in favour of Keanan Bennetts.
Still, Johnson appears to have a bright future, and his trial is somewhat vindicated by Stevenage advisor Glenn Roeder – formerly manager of West Ham, Newcastle United and Norwich City – telling the Stevenage Comet earlier this season that he thinks Johnson is a top prospect, and will go on to have a huge future in the game due to his physical attributes.
“He’s a hell of a prospect,” said Roeder. “We’ve had him watched and we get a report from the St Albans manager after every game and they’re really pleased with him. He’s got the physicality to be a top class defender and in the future I believe he will be,” he added.
That’s a ringing endorsement from Roeder, and Spurs may choose to keep a close eye on the young defender following his trial game against Everton on Monday evening.
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