Brennan Johnson: Wales forward tipped to thrive under David Moyes at Everton

Lee Trundle has tipped Brennan Johnson to thrive under David Moyes at Everton following his switch to the Merseyside club from Crystal Palace.

The Wales forward has signed a four-year deal with the Toffees as part of a swap deal that saw Everton winger Dwight McNeil move to Selhurst Park.

Former Wrexham, Swansea City, Bristol City and Leeds United forward Trundle believes the 25-year-old possesses the talent to win over the Everton faithful.

"With Johnson coming in, I think that's a great signing and he's someone I'm excited about," he said on the BBC's Feast of Football podcast.

"I think Moyes will get he best out of him, I think Moyes is a good manager for him.

"I think he'll go in, and once he starts scoring, I think the fans will take to him.

"I think he'll love being at a club like Everton because once you get in and score those goals, the fans will idolise you, especially because that's what they've been crying out for."

Johnson has operated in various roles during his career, including on the wing, at wing-back and as a striker.

But Trundle, an Everton fan, feels Moyes could deploy the former Tottenham Hotspur, Lincoln City and Nottingham Forest man as a number nine given the inconsistency of current first-choice duo Beto and Thierno Barry.

"If you look at Everton, they create a lot of chances, they just don't take the chances," said Trundle.

"I think if he's in those positions to get those chances, he takes more of them."

He added: "He will go in behind, he'll score goals himself and create himself as well."

Johnson was part of the Forest side who gained promotion from the Championship under Welshman Steve Cooper in 2021-22.

He won the Europa League during his time at Spurs - scoring the winner against Manchester United in the final - and lifted the Conference League with Crystal Palace last season.

Despite Everton's 31-year trophy drought, ex-Wales striker Nathan Blake feels Johnson - who joined Palace in a then club-record deal in January - will have to hit the ground running at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

"Everton fans are demanding," he said.

"Whether you like it or not, it doesn't matter if you haven't won a trophy for a long time, that's a big club. I think there'll be more demand on him there.

"Having Moyes and [assistant manager Billy] McKinlay could be a good thing, but if he doesn't produce in the first 10 to 15 games, it catches up with you.

"The coaching and the experience of Moyes and his backroom staff, they'll coach him to improve."

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