Premier League 2024/25: Brentford Aiming to Bounce Back

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Brentford endured a challenging 2023/24 campaign, finishing 16th in the Premier League after picking up just 39 points from 38 games.

Securing a fourth consecutive season in the top flight was the primary objective for the Bees, but it was far from a foregone conclusion as they flirted dangerously with relegation.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank will have been concerned with the slump from his side, considering their remarkable 2022/23 campaign.

They came tantalisingly close to securing continental football, finishing two points and two places away from Europa Conference League qualification.

After dropping down the Premier League standings last term, Frank will be hoping to rejuvenate his team and push for a top-half finish this season.

Brentford Keen to Strengthen Their Attacking Options

Brentford have had a quiet summer transfer window, but there is still plenty of time for them to bolster their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Bees have only signed Brazilian striker Igor Thiago in a £30 million deal from Club Brugge. The 23-year-old notched 26 goals and six assists in 55 appearances across all competitions last season. He won the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot with 16 goals in 26 games.

Brentford signed Thiago as a replacement for Ivan Toney, who continues to be linked with a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium this summer.

However, the new signing has picked up an injury which will rule him out for the rest of the year, meaning Brentford will be desperate to keep hold of Toney.

Brentford are also closing in on a deal to sign Liverpool winger Fabio Carvalho. They will pay £27.5m for the versatile 21-year-old, who is set to be the club’s second summer signing despite enjoying an impressive pre-season campaign with the Reds.

Carvalho spent last season on loan at Hull City and played a key role in the club’s push for a play-off spot, notching nine goals and two assists in the Championship.

The Portuguese winger was once heralded as a phenomenal talent but has struggled to live up to expectations since leaving Fulham for Liverpool.

He will be hoping to show what he can do at Brentford, which will be a welcome boost to Frank’s attacking options this season.

Collins the Key to Defensive Solidity

Republic of Ireland international defender Nathan Collins was an instrumental player for Brentford last season.

He helped to keep seven clean sheets and also proved he has what it takes to impact proceedings at the top end of the pitch, creating five big chances.

The Irishman also won a remarkable 67 percent of his duels and will be crucial to Brentford’s chances of finishing in the top half of the table this season.

The Bees are rated as 5.00 shots to secure a top-half finish on sports betting sites in Ireland, and Collins will be crucial to their lofty ambitions.

Another player who will undoubtedly impact Brentford’s chances is Toney, who missed a large chunk of last season thanks to a betting ban.

The 27-year-old struggled to recapture his goalscoring form after rejoining the fold in January, finishing the season with just four goals and two assists in 17 Premier League games.

Having spent most of the summer with the England national team squad at the European Championship tournament in Germany, Toney hasn’t had much by way of pre-season preparation.

If he can replicate his phenomenal 2022/23 performances, where he notched 20 Premier League goals, he could be worth wagering on to win the Golden Boot this term.

Brentford Need More Squad Depth

Brentford have done a good job of establishing themselves in the top flight as they prepare for their fourth consecutive Premier League campaign.

However, a top-half finish may be a bridge too far for Frank’s side unless they strengthen their squad further before the transfer window closes.

While Toney’s return is a significant boost to the club’s lofty ambitions, several Premier League clubs are still interested in signing him. This is an unwelcome distraction.

Brentford have enough quality to comfortably avoid relegation, but it is hard to see them doing better than a 14th-place finish this season.

Further additions to the squad would improve their chances of pushing towards the top ten and it will be intriguing to see if they can complete any more transfer business.