Igor Thiago firmly put himself among Europe’s elite last season. A 22-goal season saw him recently earn a place in the PFA Team of the Year, but this season has been a slow start. No need to worry, though.
Involvement in games despite lack of goal contribution
In his impressive campaign last season, Thiago particularly won the hearts of Brentford fans not only through goalscoring, but through his continuous involvement in play.
Whilst not majorly imposing himself on the pitch so far this season, the signs are still there that this is not lost from Thiago’s game. Dominance in the air hasn’t waned, as Thiago ranks 7th in the Premier League for aerial duels won (12). He’s being utilised just like last season as a key outlet in the side when in danger under pressure.
Furthermore, the game against Leeds United reaffirmed his importance in the side. He had the most touches in the opposition box of anyone else on the pitch (8) and took the most shots in the game (5). With the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI Panel) concluding that Brentford should have had a penalty for a foul on Kevin Schade that weekend, Thiago should have been given an opportunity from the spot to reward a more lively performance.
An unfortunate afternoon for Thiago at Elland Road / Source: ReutersAdvanced positioning and chances given
Thiago’s heatmaps so far this season point towards a player that is due to open his account for the season before too long.
Against Spurs, he was seen dropping deeper, helping out, before pushing on to take up positions anywhere across the front 3.
Heatmap vs Spurs / Source: FotMobThe Leeds United game was much the same, but with more involvement around the edge of the 18 and 6-yard boxes.
Heatmap vs Leeds United / Source: FotMobDespite a quiet performance against Sunderland, the heatmap once again reveals a strong position being taken up in the 6 yard box.
Heatmap vs Sunderland / Source: FotMobThese three games have seen xG returns of 1.00 vs Spurs, 0.80 vs Leeds United, and 0.50 vs Sunderland.
No return from an xG of 2.30 so far from a striker as deadly as Thiago is surprising, but given his positioning and track record of being lethal in front of goal, it doesn’t strike me that this is a player set to endure a poor season.
High-performing attacking play, return of Mathias Jensen, advanced full-backs, and the Diouf factor
It goes without saying that Brentford have looked like a new side this season going forward. With the 3rd best xG in the Premier League (6.80), the 2nd most shots (60), and the most accuracte crosses per game (8), the team look a genuine threat for anyone this season on the offensive. Vital for Thiago to begin firing up top.
Additionally, the return of the Mathias Jensen will be the catalyst for improved general attacking threat. Jensen had the highest xA of any Brentford player last season (5.99), demonstrating how much of a miss he is at the moment for the team, and how crucial his return could be for Thiago’s attacking prospects.
A strong performance vs Spurs showed how valuable Jensen is to the side / Source: ReutersAdvanced full-backs have been, and once again will be, a key tactical weapon for Keith Andrews. Michael Kayode and Keane Lewis-Potter have already shown this in its purest form. Both being on the scoresheet already this season, partnered with a focus on advancing into the final third, show the ideas Andrews is trying to implement.
Further to this, introducing El Hadji Malick Diouf, who attempted the 7th most crosses from defenders in the Premier League last season, to the full-back bombardment will only add to the chances Thiago recieves over the course of the season.
No need to worry.
