Ever since Brennan Johnson deactivated his Instagram account nearly two weeks ago in response to the abuse he received for his performance in the derby against Arsenal, his popularity has skyrocketed. The young Welshman who faced intense criticism has made a remarkable comeback, gaining an impressive 5,551 points and jumping up 45 places in the Goalden View Popularity Ranking (GVPR) the week following the North London Derby. This week, it seemed like Brennan Johnson has effectively “shushed” his critics with his latest on-field performances. He scored a crucial goal in the dying minutes of the Carabao Cup match against Coventry, clinching the victory for his team. He then followed that up with another goal in the Premier League clash against Brentford. This seems to have helped him gain a whopping 7,823 points and another huge jump of 42 places in the GVPR.
There is a growing conversation about mental health in sports, highlighting the challenges athletes face both on and off the field. While many fans unfortunately continue to abuse players online, there’s also a significant portion who rally behind those who are targeted. When Brennan Johnson decided to deactivate his Instagram account, many were taken aback, thrusting him into the spotlight and igniting discussions about the toll that online abuse can take on athletes. This moment of vulnerability may have contributed to his initial surge in popularity, seeing a 45-position rise in the GVPR in the span of just one week.
Everyone loves a comeback story, and the fact that he not only scored the winning goal against Coventry but also followed it up with another goal in the very next game against Brentford adds to that narrative. In a show of support, Tottenham fans started to chant “There is only one Brennan Johnson” after he scored. Fans are likely to reference his decision to delete his Instagram as a pivotal moment, viewing it as a turning point as he regained his form and silenced his critics, resulting in his major upward move in popularity.
Will Brennan Johnson be able to maintain his impressive form against Manchester United? If he does, how much further can he rise in the GVPR? Just a couple of weeks ago he was in the 166th spot. Now he’s climbed to 70th. Can he push even higher or has he reached his limit?