Heading into a highly anticipated new season, the main objective for Keith Andrews is to work out his strongest starting lineup out of a squad with unfamiliar levels of depth.
GK - Caoimhin Kelleher
Last season laid the perfect foundations for our talented shot-stopper. The Irishman looks to be a safe pair of hands, and without doubt an upgrade on Mark Flekken, who departed last summer. Despite not being the like-for-like replacement for the ever-impressive David Raya, Caoimhin is a comfortable shot-stopper, a creative distributor, and a well-renowned penalty specialist, giving him all the attributes to develop into a special no. 1 for Brentford. He no doubt deserves his place in the starting lineup this season.
RB - Michael Kayode
Need I say more? The 2024 Italian golden boy winner signed for Brentford in January 2025 and has, quite simply, never looked back. Impressive from his debut onwards, he has completely made the right-back position his own and, to the surprise of none, looks set to return there this season. On the ball, Michael has a strong desire to bring the play forwards whenever possible. Known for high energy up and down the line, he also tends to pull off unfathomable runs directly through the heart of the pitch. A unique skill of the long throw-in has famously been utilised by the team, often spelling a chaotic danger in the box leading to attacking openings. Add an extreme amount of pace, strength, and athleticism into the conversation, and it becomes clear why he is so highly rated, and explains why he has nailed down the right-back spot for the foreseeable future at Brentford.
CB - Kris Ajer
Certainly not a linear progression at Brentford, but Kris Ajer looks set to begin the season as one of two centre-backs, to the shock of a few, I'm sure. One of the longer-standing players at the club, having been signed in the summer of 2021 ahead of our debut Premier League season, Kris has struggled to make a name for himself, partly due to strong competition in his familiar RB and CB positions, but largely as a result of persisting injury struggles. Kris impressed last season in a key part of a strong mid-season run of form for the club, before further strong performances this summer at the World Cup for Norway. Adding injury rumours for Sepp van den Berg into the equation, it looks likely that Kris will be bringing his unique speed and offensive attributes into Brentford's back line at the start of the season, and deservedly so.
CB - Nathan Collins
The skipper will, without doubt, have a massive role to play this season once again. Forming an Irish defensive duo with Kelleher, Nathan slots perfectly into the backline, particularly excelling in his miraculous ability to block shots from any angle. Despite the occasional mishap, it is a case of putting his body on the line every week, leading by example, and being at least a 7/10 most weeks. With the arrival of Jannik Schuster, and Sepp van den Berg taking up an expected position on the bench, his spot isn't nailed down, but Nathan certainly will lead the side out on the opening day against Spurs, and beyond.
LB - Aaron Hickey
The forgotten man is back into the forefront of Keith Andrews' decision-making ahead of this season, in a highly contested left-back spot. As a natural left-back who has been deployed as a right-back for the majority of his injury-disrupted Brentford career, it has been frustrating at times for Aaron, but this season seems to pose an opportunity to get a crack at regular game time in his natural position. Despite seemingly being at Brentford for years and not hugely making a name for himself, the Scotland international impressed in his debut 22/23 season at the club. A devastating bout with injuries has unfortunately left consistent minutes a thing of the past; however, since recovering and finding occasional game time last season, he delivered his usual quality even when being put in a more unconventional defensive midfield position by Keith Andrews. As a popular player amongst the fans, even more so due to his struggles of late, it would be truly heartwarming to see Aaron familiarise himself with 90 minutes once again in the Premier League this season. Provided he stays relatively fit this season, I think he has everything we need in a left-back to solidify his spot in the starting 11. My word, how brilliant would that be to see?
CM - Yehor Yarmoliuk
Constantly learning and improving, Yehor is one of the brightest talents at the club at the moment. Just 22 years old, a regular starter, and a huge player for the first team after breaking through under Thomas Frank in a fantastic end to the 24/25 season. A tough tackler and a keen recoverer of possession with his intense, energetic pressing, he is a young player who came through and very quickly cemented himself in the fold. Hugely impressive in the defensive work of the team, but also valuable on the break, with a keen eye to thread the play together quickly after winning the ball. There really is no ceiling for this boy with the talent he has. Alongside a record-breaking signing this season, it's time to step up to a new level that he is more than capable of achieving and begin to announce his name. 'Mr Underrated' for not too much longer, I feel.
CM - Mamadou Sangaré
The excitement around our £41m man is real. Hype extending beyond just the Brentford fanbase indicates this is more than just a regular signing. This has potential to be a transformative addition. One of the most impressive midfielders on the continent last season steps into the midfield to create what now looks like a robust yet hugely exciting Brentford midfield. Excellence in tackling, interceptions, and ball carrying alongside the already mentioned brilliance of Yarmoliuk provides all the hallmarks of a really sound defensive midfield duo that seems to have it all. A statement signing providing the team with a skillset that in some periods of last season was lacking. Mamadou, for me, is seen as not only the answer to our fractured midfield setup, but the key that unlocks freedom for creative options to express themselves and put focus on attacking output. He strikes me as the asset that will rapidly become undroppable.
CAM - Mikkel Damsgaard
Surprisingly, a slightly below-par season last time out in a campaign where the side generally excelled. Played as either an attacking midfielder or, more unconventionally, a left winger, Mikkel didn't find his form anywhere near as regularly has he'd have liked. As we've seen time and time again, his quality knows no bounds, and even after a slightly reduced contrubution last season and an impressive campaign from Mathias Jensen, I think he's the strongest option we have in this position, especially with more freedom of the pitch expected. In the upper percentiles for creativity-based metrics, Mikkel is relentless going forwards, and if given a string of matches this season to build his form back, he can run games by himself and be the difference between a draw and a comfortable win. When on the same hymn sheet as Igor Thiago running in behind, a lethal attacking combination is unlocked.
LW - Kevin Schade
As frustrating a player as you'll find in the Premier League. Clearly dangerous and potent, but just can't find the right tune out of his talent yet. Known for his pace, Kevin is of importance to Brentford due to their tendency to quickly turn the ball around and attack on the break. With a creative spark like Mikkel Damsgaard behind him, and the hold up play of Igor Thiago, Kevin often finds himself attacking large spaces at pace but with not much attacking reward to show for it. With striking similarities to Bryan Mbeumo in the early days of our Premier League days, Kevin is a player that should not be given up on. Fear of taking his man on (27% dribble success) and lack of ruthlessness infront of goal (8 goals from an xG of 12.18) last season showed that small tweaks could be the making of the talented German international. Often seen showing his anger at himself on the pitch last season, he is just about as frustrating as they come. So nearly one of the most exciting wingers in the league, but there's clearly a level of confidence that Keith Andrews needs to unlock this season to have him firing on all fronts. New signing Jaidon Anthony will be waiting eagerly on the sidelines for his chance, but Kevin has all the structures around him this season to get going, which is why he is our strongest option off the left.
RW - Dango Ouattara
Another slightly underwhelming winger last season after arriving with a hefty £40m price tag to his name last summer from Bournemouth. Disappointing Brentford fans and himself across parts of last season, but showed glimpses of a massive player in there with huge moments, including invaluable match-winners at both Newcastle and Aston Villa as the side mounted a dangerously strong push for Europe. Put this together with the huge fee paid for him so recently, and it becomes hard not to give him another chance and start Dango off the right this season. I believe he has the attributes to come good in the very near future, and when that time comes, he should be scary for Premier League full-backs.
ST - Igor Thiago
An absolute dead-cert. There's no conversation being had about this position. After 22 goals last season, this position is 100% his, and it will take an awful lot for Callum Wilson to come in and break the mould. Lethal infront of goal, but a more underlying trait of his is the ridiculous ability to hold up the ball under the pressure of some of the strongest defenders in the Premier League. This trait is crucial for retaining possession, bringing others into play, and creating space in behind. This shows there's more to Igor's game than *just* his goalscoring, and my word is it important for our progress. A return like last season's isn't expected, but if he can get close to replicating his form of old, it could promise to be another big year for the club. Far and away our starting no. 9 for the year.
