Boss Frank backs Bees keepers

Thomas Frank has insisted the signing of Iceland international goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson does not mean Brentford are ready to move on from Matthew Cox, Thomas Strakosha or Ellery Balcombe.

Albanian international Strakosha is the current back-up to Mark Flekken and in a recent interview in his homeland expressed his desire to leave the Bees because of a lack of first-team football.

Valdimarsson, who signed last week from Swedish side Elfsborg, has won six caps for his country and at 23 is a year younger than former England Youth international Balmcombe, who is yet to feature in the Bees first team.

Cox, 20, who signed from AFC Wimbledon in 2022 on a long-term contract, is currently on loan at Bristol Rovers, but has struggled at the League One side and recently lost his place in the team after some poor performances.

“Hakan is a very good keeper and did very well in Sweden and we have watched him closely. We think he has good potential, but what will happen in the future no-one knows,” boss Frank said.

“I am happy with the goalkeeping group and Hakan has come in to develop and if he performs, great but I am happy with what I see from Mark and he is the number one. When Thomas has had the chance to play he has done well too.

“It is always a bit of a puzzle but I think it is good to have a few goalkeepers because they normally take a bit of time before they have the experience to play at the level of the Premier League.

“It is not a definite you need to have playing time in League One, Two or the Championship. but there is a certain level you need to acquire to play in the Premier League and that requires loan spells.

“You can’t just say ‘this keeper will be ready in three years’. We believe in all of them but it is up to all of them to perform and see

“All three of our other keepers know they have to play minutes on loan to get to the next level, but I don’t see that as a problem.”