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Wildcard Wednesday: January Transfer Window Special
37 Plays17 days ago
This is your Wildcard Wednesday (released a day early as a Christmas gift!), where we look at areas of the team which Brentford may look to improve in the January transfer window. We consider which areas of the team require the most surgery amidst a mounting injury list, and also ponder over the possibility of no business being done whatsoever!
Host: Daniel Toppin
Instagram/X/TikTok: @gspnbrentford
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Transcript
Introduction & Christmas Special
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, Merry Christmas and welcome to the Daily Brentford Podcast with myself, Daniel, where today we will have a transfer window special with January looming as the bees look to prepare for the second half of the season.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just before we get going guys, we're a brand new company so we're looking for your support over the coming season and beyond as we look to bring you the best and most in-depth coverage across the entire network. Whether this is a five-star review on your favourite podcasting platform or a recommendation to your friends, we are very grateful for any support that we receive.
Brentford's Left Back Dilemma
00:00:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So then the January transfer window is approaching and I thought we would look ahead to some areas of the squad which Brentford may look to improve on as we go into the second half of the season or indeed some areas of the squad which Brentford may want to wait it out for the next six months in the aim of getting to the summer where it's typically easier normally to do these types of deals as teams are less keen to sell in January often because it is mid-season and it would mean them losing an important player. Where do we need to strengthen then if we think about the Brentford squad? Currently it will be of no surprise that most Brentford fans will tell you that it is in the fallback area and I think to firstly ascertain whether we indeed do need to strengthen
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
in this area we do need to know a few answers to these questions such as where on earth is Rico Henry. Now this is something that Thomas Frank has actually been very very quiet on in his latest press conferences it was wow probably a couple of months ago now or at least early November When things are looking quite positive, Thomas Frank was talking about him potentially being but involved in a B team friendly at some point. and That has not materialized the updates and Thomas Frank then shifted to he is doing well. He is progressing, but we are not putting a timeframe on it. And we don't know essentially when he will be playing his first minutes for the B team. You do suspect that even when that time comes that he
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
will probably play a few games for the B team he will probably need a few weeks to get up to speed to get match fit and then even when he is back and backing Premier League squads can we rely on him being the Rico Henry of old particularly this season without having a preseason under his belt and for being out for well over a year by the time he returns additionally we know Aaron Hickey who can play either right back or left back he will be out for the season there are also concerns about his comeback when that will be and how long that will take when he is fit enough to take to the field again, given that he has also been out with a hamstring injury for over a year as well. Another question I guess to ask is, has Keen Lewis-Potter given us something to think about? Now, he's almost been so good at left back in recent weeks that I don't necessarily see him as an attacking player anymore, I think.
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
If I was to level a criticism at him in terms of him being a winger who cuts inside, I think his end product could do with improving in terms of the final shot, the final pass, the fight the final cross, the final action. I think he should be getting more goals and assists as a winger. However, at left back, I think he covers the ground brilliantly.
00:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
we can get forward so well on that left hand side to the point where in certain games this season, we've not even really played without an out left winger. We decided to add an extra body in the middle and Keene Lewis Potter has got up and down so well. And obviously, as we've spoken about the right back on the other side, which has often been the center back in set Vandenberg or Christopher Iyer this season, they will slot inside um to make it kind of a back three as Keene Lewis Potter charges forward. But equally,
00:04:18
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coming back and what what I've been most impressed about with King Lewis Potter that is he's been adept defensively and I'm still waiting for a game where he is exposed by a tricky winger the likes of um possibly Saka or Salah when we go on to play them in the next month but but so far King Lewis Potter has Um, dealt with every test thrown at him and you can't, that can't be a bigger compliment for someone who is not a natural defensive player. I think he's been very solid defensively in that regards. However, do Brentford look to still get somebody in, in this position, the natural left back, someone that will then free up King Lewis Potter to be another option on the left-hand side who can challenge Shada.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I quite like the idea of Shada and King Louis Potter competing for that position. I think they will provide very good competition. I don't think there's a lot between them at the moment. I think Shada, I think on his day might be the better player, but it's more inconsistent. So I think that dynamic, I would like to see that. And I would like to see them pushing each other and challenging each other for that starting spot. But then if Brentford are to recruit a fullback as particularly a left back,
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the January transfer window, where could we look?
Evaluating Left Back Alternatives
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, it hasn't actually taken much research for me to look into this. There are quite a few experienced good left backs sitting out at certain clubs in the Premier League at the moment. And there is potential. I think these are the kind of deals, if Brentford are going to do any deals in January, that we are more likely to be able to pull off, given the fact that these players are out have cut out of favor.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
with their clubs, a lot of them have contracts and which are running out perhaps in the summer. um So there's a prospect potentially of a cut price deal. Of course, wages wages might be an issue. Wages um may take the player um coming down on those wages. I don't know if there's any any possibility of a loan deal where where certain clubs can also contribute a portion of the wages, but let's get into it of course the obvious one is Sergio Regulon he is still hanging around at Spurs having not played this season and he has actually appeared on the bench I've noticed recently for them but he is very much out of favor I think he's only been on the bench he's the injuries that Spurs have had lately and he is still not getting into the side
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
There is some talk of his contract being terminated, um, in and around January to allow him to move on. And I think he is someone that Brentwood would definitely be interested in given that he played 16 games for us last season, getting four assists. And I think the attacking role he played from left back, you know, you can see him doing that role, which Kenos Potter is doing so well at the moment, and you can see him.
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
thriving there, um especially if we're not going to be seeing Rico Henry back any time soon. Of course, he has pedigree prior to that spell at Brentford last season as well, having previously played for the likes of Real Madrid, Sevilla, Spurs, where he was actually in regular before recent times under Anj Potsicoglou, Atletico Madrid, and then he also had a lone spell at Manchester United before joining us last season. so he would He would think, well, I think we would be keen to bring him in. I think the only stumbling block would be whether he is willing to come down to a level that we are happy with in terms of wages. Another player who Brent would have been linked with, I think we linked with him this summer, and he is someone who has been frozen out at Chelsea with their many, many players is Ben Chilwell. He is contracted, I think, beyond next summer. So I do wonder whether
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
there could be the potential for a loan deal to be done, something similar to what we did with Sergio Regulon last season whereby Chelsea agreed to pay some of his wages and um we pay a portion and obviously Ben Shilwell gets some game time, which is what he so desperately needs. Issues with him, I think he is slightly injury prone. um So his fitness could be called into question.
00:08:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um but if we are to get a loan deal and it's to be favorable to us, I think that could be perhaps the ideal solution if Rico Henry is to come back in the future, um because then we can have Ben Chilwell essentially being a stop gap in between um filling in until Rico Henry is fully fit and firing and ready to come back. Like I said, Brentford were linked to filming this summer, so maybe there is potential of some deal to be done. And again, Ben Chilwell, England International,
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was a regular at Leicester previously, also has been a regular at Chelsea in the past, I think he has the pedigree to be able to slot in and get up to speed quite quickly. The third left back I want to talk about is Kieran Tierney of Arsenal who is out of contract at the end of the season and Arsenal themselves have confirmed that they will not be renewing his deal Could that then open the door to potentially a cut price deal in January so Arsenal don't lose him for free? Potentially. and You would imagine it wouldn't take a great deal of finances to get him in. Again, as with all of these wages might be an issue given he is Arsenal and they will be paying him.
00:09:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
a fair sum, but if he wants and is serious about getting first team football, I suspect it's unlikely he'll, he'll fall at another big six club. So could he potentially be keen to stay in London with Brentford? Of course, he was a regular for Celtic before joining Arsenal again, has been a regular for Arsenal over the years.
00:10:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and played last season at Real Sociedad in La Liga so he has been getting regular football up until this season. Here's another player though who has been injured here and there in the past but again could could he be an option um for Brentford.
Right Back Reinforcements
00:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just also considering the other flank There is the question of whether Brentford could do with a right back, perhaps an upgrade on Mads Rossev, who I think many Brentford fans would agree is perhaps a weak link in the squad at the moment. I think he is probably as the championship standard a player. And I do think it is telling at times that players who are natural centre backs are getting in it right back ahead of the likes of him. Could Brentford then potentially look at someone like Kyle Walker Peters?
00:11:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
of Southampton, who is one of their better players. Obviously Southampton looking like they will probably go down in, go down this season. Kyle Walker Peters, his contract is up in the summer. It's not clear whether he wants to extend. It may be unlikely that he will extend if he sees the prospect of them playing in the championship next season. And I think he is one of maybe a few Southampton players who could stay in the Premier League and do a good job. I know he has done in the past in Southampton teams of old um and he has also played a few games of Spurs before he signed for Southampton. So at 27 year old I think he could do a job and Walker Peters is also someone who I think can play at both left back and right back and I think he would be someone useful. I think he'd be an upgrade on Mads Rossev and I think
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
he would compliment our side very, very well in terms of his flexibility and the options he would allow us. and It would be nice if Brentford can get to a place um at the end of January if we can field a side with um two natural full backs on both sides. But I mean, I think I would be surprised if Brentford got more than one of these done. I think if we get a big name such as Regulon back in, um I think we may go without a right back for the second half of the season, stick with them
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
playing a more defensive player there, the likes of Iyer and Vandenberg, and we'll carry on relying on Russell as a backup as well. But I do think somewhere like Carwalker Peters, again, if if it's something that we can't do in January, um I suspect we might be able to, given his contract is up, and they might be keen to make a little bit of money from from him. And obviously, there's the the sporting director there is Russ Mssankinson, who knows Brentford quite well and might be more keen, might be more willing to do a deal with his former club.
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So then after the break, I will be looking at potentially another area of the Brentford side, which the club may look to improve on.
Midfield Targets & Player Development
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I will be answering the question, is it possible that we will sign absolutely nobody at all in the January window?
00:14:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to part two of your daily Brentford Christmas transfer window special with myself, Daniel, um where we are looking at the areas of the squad that Brentford may be able to, um or may may look to improve in the January transfer window. Another area I have identified where we could strengthen is perhaps the area of central midfield. We have been linked with the likes of Archie Gray and Jens Kudjusz in the summer.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
In moves, it did not happen. Of course, Archie Gray made a late U-turn and joined Tottenham. And Jens Kajust, there was something going on with the negotiations with Napoli, which meant Frankfurt pulled out. And he went on to join Ipswich. I suspect that if we had signed someone like Archie Gray, he would have spent a lot of this season playing it right back, giving his versatility, which has been very helpful. But as we all know, he is a natural central midfielder.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So does that mean Matt is an area Brentford looking at strengthening? Of course, we have loaned out Francon Yekka for the first half of the season. I think he'll still be out on loan in the second half of the season. So does that leave a gap in the squad for a new player to come in? Or would in fact a new signing block the pass in the likes of Yarmolek or even Magcoma and Konak, who we've also seen in a lot of the Brentford squads this season?
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we've got to be a bit careful. I think um with the likes of Yarmuliac, I think in recent weeks, he's actually been very impressive. And I think there's an important balance for Brentford to find in terms of giving him enough minutes and also ensuring that he is ready um and that we are strong as a side. And it is very easy, I think, in this world where teams by players and they want to buy players who are ready now. And there's limited opportunities for young players to thrive and do really well in in the Premier League. And I think Yarmolik is someone who has the quality. He is so technically gifted. you You can tell when he's on the ball. um And I think even the last few weeks with with a few starts, he he has come on leaps and bounds. So I would be a bit
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Reluctant, perhaps to replace him essentially. And I think any replacement that does come in would need to be a lot better to justify the outlay and to justify knocking arm earlier down the pecking order. what What I wouldn't want is someone like, um, like years ago when Brentford had Mads, who came in, um, to the B team, played quite a few games in our first Premier League season, always looked quite bright, quite similar to where Yarmolik is at now.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he ended up, he ended up leaving for, you know, quite a minimal figure, um, to Red Bull Salzburg, I think. Um, so now, and now he's playing champions league football, believe it or not. But, um, I do think he could have potentially had a future at Brantford and his path has maybe blocked by the likes of Frank Onieka, who obviously never really lived up to the hybrid. Brantford is now loaned out and I don't really see a future for him at the club. but So.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's go to a world where Brentford are looking to strengthen in this area, which has been the sign based on what we were interested in in the summer. I do wonder also whether the form of Damaskar would have caused Brentford to rethink in this regard. But it looks like this would be a more difficult deal to do in January. If we're looking to bring in someone who's quite young, you can go into the team, you can be one of our star players.
00:18:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't see any obvious options out there at a bargain price or at clubs who are willing to sell, um given that it's mid-season and any players that we look to sign are going to be important players to their current teams. I think if Brentford are looking at the lights of Sunderland in the championship, they have loads of yeah loads of young, exciting midfielders. And the headliner is Joe Bellingham, who's already being linked to the lights of Dortmund, Real Madrid. Could we try and price someone like him over to Brentford?
00:18:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
this would not come cheap, especially mid-season, and would he upgrade our team instantly? I'm not so sure. So it would be exciting. It would definitely be exciting to get someone like him in, even Chris Wittrigg, who also plays at Sunderland, I think even younger than Bellingham, is someone else he's very highly thought of. But I can't see us being able to do this type of deal in January, I think.
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are prices to their side, the potential chance at the moment, the way Sunderland are going and they get promoted themselves. So perhaps the players themselves, you know, will be focused on that objective and getting them promoted and getting regular minutes in the Premier League with Sunderland next season. So maybe this is something we can revisit in the summer, but I think unless anything changes, I can't see anything happening in this regard.
Transfer Speculations & Strategy
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That leads me to ask the question, would Brentford sign anyone in January? I think It's been made clear in the past deals are more difficult to do in January. I've already explained that. And, um, I think last season we were in a much tougher position, um, with a potential danger of relegation this year. We're in a more stable position. So I can't see Brent for making any rash decisions. I can't see them doing anything that that will harm us in the longterm or that won't make us stronger in the longterm, even if it would make us stronger now.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we are quite prudent in that regard. um And obviously, if we look back to even last January, where we were struggling more, only Sergio Regulon came in. m I think Vadim Hasan also came in, the the second choice keeper. but Only Regulon came in who played any Real Minutes. Konak was another one that came in but Only Regulon was the one that came in to be in the team for the second half of last season and played regular minutes. um And Igor Tiago was then confirmed slightly after the January window.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do expect things to be quiet, um even more serve our stable league position. But equally, if we gone if we are going to do anything, I can see it being one of those full backs are out of favor of their clubs and not really playing. And we may be able to do a deal there.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that will then do for today. I hope I've previewed some areas to look out for in the transfer window, which is upcoming. Hope everyone's had a really good Christmas and I thank you. Given that this is coming out on Christmas Day, I thank you for listening to the Daily Renfrew Podcast. We hope you've enjoyed today's episode and once again,
00:21:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'd be extremely grateful for your support as this will enable us to get bigger and better moving forwards.
Conclusion & Social Media Reminder
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Daily Brentford can be found on X, Instagram and TikTok under the handle at GSPN Brentford. I will be back again tomorrow to preview our game against Brighton at the Amex on Friday evening. Until then, from myself, thank you for being with me.