Brentford's Surprising Surge in the Premier League
Brentford is experiencing a remarkable season, currently sitting in fifth place in the Premier League.
With four victories in their last five matches and a Brazilian striker delivering impressive performances, Bees fans are beginning to envision potential trips to Milan, Munich, and Barcelona next season.
A decisive 3-0 victory over Sunderland propelled Keith Andrews' team into a position that could secure Champions League football, a feat achieved by the same position last year.
Only league leaders Arsenal have garnered more points in the last six games.
While there is still a long way to go, Brentford is firmly in contention for European football.
This scenario was not anticipated last summer.
Following Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham after a successful seven-year tenure that included promotion and establishment in the top flight, the club faced significant changes.
Club captain Christian Norgaard transferred to Arsenal, and the attacking duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, who combined for 39 goals in the 2024-25 season, also left for Manchester United and Newcastle, respectively.
Andrews, previously the set-piece coach, stepped up to replace Frank, but the team did not secure a new striker during the summer transfer window.
Many predicted a challenging year ahead, possibly leading to relegation. Yet, here we are in January with Brentford in the top five.
So how have they achieved this success?
Igor Thiago's Record-Breaking Campaign
Brentford's decision to forgo signing another striker was partly due to circumstances, as Wissa's transfer was finalized on deadline day.
However, they were aware they had a £30 million striker ready to make an impact.
Igor Thiago joined from Club Brugge in July 2024 for a then club-record fee but struggled with injuries during his debut season, failing to score in eight appearances.
This season, the 24-year-old has made up for lost time, with his brace against Sunderland bringing his tally to 16 league goals—the highest by a Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign.
Given the illustrious Brazilian players who have come before him, this is a significant achievement, especially with 17 games remaining.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy praised Thiago on BBC Match of the Day, stating, "He’s been a breath of fresh air. He’s physically intimidating, quick, strong, but technically better than people think. He can score with both feet, and you can see he’s full of confidence. These numbers are fantastic. He must be so proud. That’s a big compliment to him."
With only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe having scored more goals in Europe’s top five leagues so far, Thiago is performing at an elite level.
Beyond the quantity of goals, the timing has been crucial for Brentford. His first goal against Sunderland marked his seventh opener of the season, highlighting the importance of having a reliable player to seize early scoring opportunities.
Before the match against Sunderland, no player with at least 30 shots this season had a better shooting accuracy than Thiago’s 59.1%. He consistently hits the target, leading to his impressive goal tally.
Given his challenging background, where he worked as a bricklayer to support his family after his father's death, it is perhaps unsurprising that he handles pressure on the pitch with composure.
Andrews commended the recruitment team for their efforts, stating, "The recruitment team deserves a lot of praise for the type of players they bring in and their personalities. It is really impressive. He is a really special person who has fitted in well. He has earned his path and worked hard. He has serious grit in his personality and is constantly developing his skill set. We are learning more about him; he is a pretty complete center-forward."
Andrews Proving Skeptics Wrong
While Igor Thiago is the standout performer, Brentford has never relied on a single player.
Despite having star players like Ivan Toney, Christian Eriksen, Mbeumo, and Wissa under Frank, the team was always perceived as more than the sum of its parts.
Concerns arose that Brentford’s cohesion might falter after Frank's departure, leading to doubts about whether the team could remain in the Premier League.
Consequently, Andrews' appointment—despite his lack of managerial experience and only one year at the club—was viewed as a significant gamble by outsiders.
A first managerial role is challenging for anyone, especially in the Premier League, transitioning from set-piece coach to head coach.
However, with Ipswich's Kieran McKenna as the only alternative considered, Brentford clearly believed they made the right choice.
So far, it appears they were correct. Andrews won just one of his first five league matches in charge but has since secured impressive home victories against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
These wins, combined with their recent excellent form, could prove crucial in the race for European qualification.
Andrews remarked, "We are in good form and playing really well. We are showing courage and conviction in everything we do with and without the ball. We are pleased with our progress, but we want to keep pushing forward."
In a league where only eight points separate fourth from fifteenth place, maintaining their momentum is essential, as circumstances can change rapidly.
For now, Brentford is defying expectations, and the longer this continues, the closer their European aspirations will become a reality.