Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Thu 19 March 2026 21:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Brennan Johnson simply cannot be trusted to fill Crystal Palace‘s wing-back spot after struggling against AEK Larnaca.

Oliver Glasner appears determined to squash the Welshman into Palace’s starting lineup since he arrived on a £35million deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the winter window.

He has made 15 total appearances for the Eagles so far, but with zero goal contributions across all competitions, supporters are wondering exactly why the club splashed the cash on his signature.

Palace will face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals after beating Larnaca, and if the Premier League side want any chance of reaching the next round, Johnson cannot start at wing-back.

Brennan Johnson completely fails at wing-back for Crystal Palace

Ismaila Sarr was on hand to fire the Eagles into the next round, even missing the chance to grab a hat-trick when hitting the post of an open goal, but it was a win, nonetheless.

Mick Brown told Football Insider that, despite growing fan frustrations, Glasner is not at risk of being sacked, and he could still leave a much-loved figure with another trophy lifted at Selhurst Park.

His continued attempt to force Johnson into the lineup isn’t helping in the slightest, though.

Failing at the main attacking role of a wing-back, the 24-year-old could only successfully deliver one of his eight crosses into his teammates, finally being replaced by Daniel Munoz.

Daniel Munoz embarrasses the Welshman vs AEK Larnaca

Of course, Munoz has struggled with an injury for a large part of the 2025-26 campaign, so Glasner has been desperate for a short-term fix at wing-back, but it can no longer be Johnson.

The Colombian did far more in 30 minutes, plus extra time, than the starting wing-back, creating five chances as Palace pushed for another goal against Larnaca, as well as seeing one of his shots saved [FotMob].

Johnson has certainly shown very small bursts of what he’s capable of, but even during his time at Spurs, he never really managed to hit the heights seen by those at Nottingham Forest.

If he were started in his usual right-wing spot, he would probably be more comfortable, but with Sarr shining in that position, he’s rarely going to be given that chance by the manager.