One Player Brentford Must Sign This Summer | OneFootball

Summer Transfer Planning in the Premier League

Overview of Transfer Needs and Strategy

As we approach the summer break teams will be well into their planning for the upcoming transfer window and despite the fact that there are still five weeks until the final day of the 23/24 Premier League season moves will already be in motion.

Every team has needs they need to address in the transfer market, even treble winning Manchester City who are looking a good bet for a second consecutive treble. So I felt like now would be a good time to start looking at each team and pick one area they should look to sign a player for, and pick that player to save them the hassle.

Brentford’s Current Season and Challenges

Let’s continue our alphabetical wander through the Premier League with Brentford.

The Bees have not had a good season and at time of writing are still in the relegation mix, though this past weekends win over Sheffield United did give them some much needed breathing room.

Brentford have suffered desperately with injuries this year, particularly in defense and those injuries combined with the suspension of Ivan Toney for over half the season – and his subsequent lack of form since returning, have meant that Thomas Frank’s team still have work to do in order to secure another season in the Premier League.

They are fortunate that there are so many poor teams in the league this season, or things might be a lot worse for them.

Transfer Targets and Strategy for Brentford

Going into this summer window they know they will be losing Ivan Toney but have already secured the signing of Igor Thiago to replace him. It will be interesting to see how that works out because the last few attacking signings Brentford have made have not really worked out yet.

They retain a pretty strong midfield group but should maybe be looking to add one more in that area with an eye on the longer term.

Defensive Reinforcement Needs

But the defense is the area most in need of help. Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Ben Mee will all return next season, and Nathan Collins and Kristof Ajer have shown at times that they can be very solid as part of a back three, though they haven’t always shown it in the red and white stripes..

Collins has had an uneven season but that was to be expected as Brentford is his fourth club in four seasons and he has not had the chance to settle in anywhere. For a young defender to have that much upheaval in his career is not ideal.

An Ajer-Collins-Mee back three is something that Brentford can build off, though they should be looking at a long term replacement for Mee who can also provide cover in that role in the short term given the age and recent injury issues the former Burnley man has suffered.

Addressing the Right Back Position

A position they must address this summer is right back. Aaron Hickey is an outstanding talent but he has a track record of injuries and needs to be carefully managed. In an ideal world Brentford would have three starter quality fullbacks and be able to rotate and manage them all.

Rico Henry is one of the better left backs in the league, but coming off an ACL tear he can’t be expected to start every game. Perhaps giving him 25 league starts, with Hickey getting the rest would be the best mix to keep both fit.

Hickey could then also get the same number of starts at right back, giving him 26 in total. More than enough to keep him happy and aid his development. But to do this, a starting right back is needed.

Ideal Transfer Target: Kyle Walker-Peters

Kyle Walker-Peters would be absolutely perfect.

The former Spurs defender has spent five years at Southampton and regardless of whether they are promoted this season may well fancy a move back to London. He has shown himself to be an excellent performer in the Premier League, and far too good for the Championship. He could mirror the performance level of Henry on the left and, with Hickey in rotation, give Brentford one of the better fullback groups in the Premier League.

Capable of playing multiple positions, and equally at home as a wingback or fullback, he would give Thomas Frank some much needed versatility and flexibility.

Comfortable on the ball, quick and good defensively he ticks all the boxes for Brentford.

At 27 he is just entering his prime years. His contract expires in the summer of 2025 so Southampton are not in a position to demand an unfair fee for him either.