Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford’s ‘leader in the making’

Brentford are looking for a new source of inspiration.

Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban from the Football Association for breaching betting rules means they need to find a way to replace his goals and, just as importantly, his leadership.

Since Toney joined the club from Peterborough United three years ago, he has constantly delivered in key moments. He scored penalties under immense pressure in the semi-final and final of the 2021 Championship play-offs, he grabbed all five goals in crucial back-to-back victories over Norwich City and Burnley last season, and he was immense in the memorable win over Manchester City at the Etihad in November.

He is one of four members of the dressing room’s leadership group. However, with Toney suspended until January, Pontus Jansson returning to his boyhood club Malmo in the summer and uncertainty over David Raya’s future, Christian Norgaard is the only member who is set to be playing for Brentford at the start of next season.

Thomas Frank confirmed last week that Norgaard will replace Jansson as captain, but he will need more support. Ben Mee, 33, offers vast experience and Mathias Jensen’s influence has increased, but who will set the standards in attack?

Following Brentford’s 2-0 victory over West Ham on May 14, Frank spoke about Bryan Mbeumo’s potential. “I praised him a couple of weeks ago because he drives training with his attitude and work ethic and determination to want to get better and win,” said the head coach. “He’s definitely a leader in the making.”

In Brentford’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Mbeumo truly stepped up and out of Toney’s shadow.

Mbeumo has formed a brilliant partnership with Toney, but it was always the England striker who took the headlines. Before Toney joined Brentford, Mbeumo was the supporting act to Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma. Now the forward has the opportunity to take centre stage.

Frank took the bold decision to start with a 4-3-3 formation against Spurs. Normally when Brentford face members of the ‘Big Six’, he opts for the security of a 3-5-2 system. They will sit back, soak up pressure and hit opponents on the break, which worked to perfection in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea last month.

Brentford tried to be brave and positive on the ball in the first half against Tottenham, but it backfired. Ryan Mason’s side created a lot of chances, as well as Harry Kane’s clever free-kick routine.

Arnaut Danjuma and Dejan Kulusevski were a constant threat on the counter, Son Heung-min had a great effort saved by Raya, and Rico Henry cleared Emerson Royal’s header off the line. Frank wanted to use 4-3-3 because he feels like the team “have been growing”, but admitted it was a “very bad” first-half performance.

Mikkel Damsgaard replaced Frank Onyeka in central midfield at half-time and it had a subtle yet important effect on Brentford’s game plan. Onyeka kept taking up Mbeumo’s space and making similar runs. By taking off the Nigeria international, Mbeumo had more room and Damsgaard could link up the play.

Mbeumo joined Brentford in August 2019 and is one of the club’s longest-serving players, which makes it easy to forget he is still only 23 years old. Last season, he was guilty of being wasteful in front of goal. Mbeumo hit the woodwork seven times — the joint-highest in the Premier League along with then-Leeds United winger Raphinha. According to data from Opta, he had an xG (expected goals), which measures the quality of your chances, of 9.3 but only scored four times, one of which was a penalty.

The Cameroon international works on his finishing at the training ground with assistant coach Kevin O’Connor and head of coaching Justin Cochrane. The hard work is paying off as he has been far more clinical this season. With one game left, he has scored nine times from an xG of 9.3. In total, he has been directly involved in 16 goals compared to 11 during the 2021-22 campaign.

Mbeumo made his two goals against Tottenham look easy. He made a fantastic run inside Ben Davies for the second and slotted the ball into the far corner from a tight angle. It would have been simpler to drill a cross towards Kevin Schade at the back post, but he was brimming with confidence.

Brentford have now won against every member of the ‘Big Six’ since they were promoted two years ago. They are unbeaten and have taken 10 points from the four matches Toney has missed this season, too.

When your key players are unavailable, you need others to take responsibility and that is exactly what Mbeumo has done — he has now been involved in six goals in his last six appearances.

“The second half was probably our best half away performance of the season,” said Frank. “We were composed on the ball, we found much better positions to play around them and in behind. We won the ball higher and created dangerous situations.

“The big praise goes to Bryan. He has grown more and more to be a key player for us. He works so hard, he’s a fantastic pressing player and can score goals and get assists, but maybe lacked enough goals. He works very hard on his finishing.”

Following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, Brentford still have a small chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League next season. Frank’s side have to beat champions Manchester City at home next Sunday and hope Villa and Tottenham both lose. Even if both teams draw, Brentford will finish seventh as they have a better goal difference.

“We will do everything we can to make an outstanding season even better,” said Frank.

If they manage to beat a City team with the title already secured and FA Cup and Champions League finals to come, Mbeumo will undoubtedly be at the heart of it all.

 (Top photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images)