Brennan Johnson has revealed that he has received some pre-match supportive texts from Inter Miami owner and Premier League legend David Beckham.
Beckham has been watching on from the States as Johnson lights up the Tottenham Hotspur attacking line, scoring six goals and assisting once in 15 matches. Despite a roller coaster season for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou, Johnson has contributed effectively and has scored against the likes of Manchester City, Brentford and Manchester United.
Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, Johnson has explained how Beckham was a former team-mate of his dad, David Johnson, in United’s youth team – which explains the link between the 23-year-old and the Inter Miami owner.
In a conversation with Johnson, podcast host Roger Bennett said: “I know you’ve got an incredible support network behind you, your dad obviously a professional footballer. I know your mum, Allison, texts you a four-leaf clover every game, and I believe you occasionally get pre-match texts from David Beckham, who’s taken a real interest in your career since you were at Forest.”
He then asked: “How did that relationship develop and what’s it feel like knowing that David Beckham is watching you sitting at home? I like to imagine him with a bowl of jellied eels just sitting there watching you play.”
The winger replied: “I think it was from my dad. My dad and him were kind of similar ages at Manchester United academy and I think they got on well so it’s something like he just kept an eye on me, obviously because he was friends with my dad.”
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Image:
Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
He added: “So yeah, I think the relationship probably isn’t as strong as people think, it’s not like we’re constantly texting and things like that.
“But yeah, he has messaged me a couple of times before, like a while ago now, but obviously, it’s a nice feeling that he did keep an eye out on what I was doing – and when I came here [Tottenham] he was quite supportive of that, but that’s as far as the relationship goes.”
Fans may also overlook the fact that Beckham, who grew up in east London, played in Spurs’ youth set-up before he made the move to United’s Under-18s squad. As well as this, while Beckham was playing with LA Galaxy late on in his career, the former English international also trained with Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham squad during the off-season.
So, these ties to Spurs may be another part of the reason why Beckham has a soft spot for Johnson, and his support to see the 23-year-old succeed in the Premier League.