Brentford, currently seventh in the Premier League, are still a byword for shrewd management, forward-planning and general business sense.
Keith Andrews has just signed a new contract with the west London outfit until 2032, with the Bees chasing European football. Employing the former set-piece coach at the beginning of 2025-26 to replace Thomas Frank was viewed as speculative, but only from the casual observer.
Andrews knows Brentford intimately. They have essentially built a 4-5-1 system with Igor Thiago as the focal point. Passes, long and short, to the £30m striker, who has delivered 17 goals this season, are bearing fruit. The Brazilian’s response to the Bees’ faith in him after a season-long injury, occurred after his arrival in a 2024 pre-season friendly, is remarkable.
Thiago’s presence has been so potent that memories of heralded ex-stars of recent years, such as Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa and the famous “BMW” – Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins – are already fading.
Andrews’ major tweak
Thiago, recently linked with Chelsea, has extended his Brentford deal. Any notions of a sudden switch across west London would therefore come at a massive premium.
Unlike Frank, Andrews appears more pragmatic in managing players’ game time and is very aligned with all his backroom staff in this, his first head coach post. As engaging as he was, there were suggestions Frank, after almost seven years at Brentford, was perhaps “bigger” than the club.
Niggly injuries to key players are evaporating within Andrews’ culture. Mikkel Damsgaard, a stellar midfielder last term, is injury prone, so the Danish international is being handled with care. The same applies to Vitaly Janelt, Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry and Kristoffer Ajer.
Christian Norgaard was another who played through a pain barrier before leaving for Arsenal last summer, where he has not featured regularly. Moreover, during Frank’s short spell at Tottenham, injuries on an industrial scale were an issue. While this is perhaps coincidental, few players are likely to experience burnout under Andrews’ watch.
Brentford’s transfer plans
No major splashes are anticipated this summer. Andrews will recall left-back Jayden Meghoma, currently on loan at Rangers, as a potential successor to Henry, whose contract is up at the end of this campaign.
Other likely solutions are already wedded to Brentford. Sources close to the club have high hopes for both attacking midfielders Antoni Milambo and Romelle Donovan.
Your next read
The recycling may continue with a possible exit for Fabio Carvalho, who has only flattered to deceive. Kevin Schade, Ethan Pinnock, Mathias Jensen and Ajer, linked with Wolfsburg, could join him in the departure lounge.
Conversely, Dango Ouattara should add more threat in support of Thiago, and Sepp van den Berg already seems like a long term Brentford bulwark. A £20m fee to Liverpool last August for the 24-year-old is money expertly invested for years.
Andrews, like any other manager, may not be able to predict an exact future, but the Bees remain at enviable altitude.
from Football - The i Paper https://ift.tt/qT0oXjP
Post a Comment