Keith Andrews hailed Igor Thiago as a “very special player” after Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Everton, praising the striker’s all-round game as well as the two goals that took him to 21 for the Premier League season.
Keith Andrews delivered a glowing assessment of Igor Thiago after Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Everton, describing the Brazilian as a “very special player” and one of the most complete centre-forwards the club have had in recent years. Thiago scored both Brentford goals at the Gtech, taking his Premier League tally for the season to 21, and afterwards, his head coach made clear the numbers only tell part of the story.
Andrews said the first objective this season had simply been to keep Thiago on the pitch after the disruption of the previous campaign. “The biggest thing for Thiago this season was staying fit and playing as many minutes as he has with the obvious reason that he wasn’t available for a lot of last season,” he said. “Can we keep him available? Can we work him? Can we build on his confidence? Can we integrate him into the team in a way where he becomes effective in the way that we think he can be?” Andrews then added a note of realism about that process. “The reality is you never know. Anybody says any different wouldn’t be entirely honest.”
What Brentford have got, in his view, is a striker whose game extends well beyond finishing. “We always knew he had brilliant attributes,” Andrews said. “I think he’s selfless in the way he plays the game for us. The goals obviously get all the attention, and for strikers it does, but his overall performance levels continue to get better and better, and he’s constantly evolving his game.” His verdict was emphatic: “He’s proven to be a very, very special player.”
That praise continued when Andrews was asked where Thiago now ranks among Brentford’s recent forwards. He stopped short of placing him above the rest, but the description of his qualities was revealing. “I think what he is is an all-round centre-forward,” he said. “When we think of a traditional number nine and the way you would maybe build them from scratch, he can do pretty much everything.” Andrews then listed the details: the ability to drop in and provide a platform, to run in behind, to attack crosses, and the awareness he shows of the players around him. “Thiago’s obviously pretty special for me,” he said.
Andrews also suggested the striker’s current run is no accident. Asked about Thiago’s deflected second goal, he said: “That comes from a place where you earn it.” He added: “For me, it’s not a coincidence when you’re in the right place at the right time so often.”
There was also a broader note on Thiago’s state of mind after his recent Brazil breakthrough. Andrews said the striker had already been “in a pretty good place” before the international break, but admitted the call-up and goal for his country had lifted him further. “He is on cloud nine,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that, and hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season and beyond.”
For Brentford, the result against Everton was frustrating. For Andrews, though, the post-match message on Thiago was unmistakable. This is no longer just a striker in form. It is a player his manager believes is becoming one of the most complete forwards in the league.