Brentford 2023/24 season preview: Key players, summer transfers, squad numbers & predictions

Brentford not only failed to succumb to the Premier League's second season syndrome in 2022/23, but Thomas Frank's side also improved on their debut campaign.

Having been overly reliant on Christian Eriksen's brilliance towards the end of 2021/22, there were questions regarding Frank's side heading into year two. However, the Bees performed superbly, once again proving a tough nut to crack at home, and finished ninth in the table.

Ivan Toney's goalscoring touch propelled Brentford to an improved season last time out, but betting misdemeanours mean Frank won't be able to call upon his talisman until the new year.

Thus, there's an element of doubt surrounding the Bees heading into 2023/24. How will they cope in the absence of their star man?

Here's 90min's preview of Brentford's upcoming season.

Brentford's performance last five seasons

*Brentford played in the Championship during 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Summer transfers

Ins:

• Nathan Collins (DF) - Wolves - £23m
• Kevin Schade (FW) - Freiburg - £22m
• Mark Flekken (GK) - Freiburg - £11m

Outs:

• Mads Bidstrup (MF) - RB Salzburg - £5m
• Halil Dervisoglu (FW) - Galatasaray - £430,000
• Pontus Jansson (DF) - Malmo - free
• Matthew Cox (GK) - Bristol Rovers - loan
• Joel Valencia (FW) - Zaglebie Sosnowiec - free
• Paris Maghoma (MF) - Bolton - loan
• Fin Stevens (DF) - Oxford Utd - loan
• Ryan Trevitt (MF) - Exeter - loan
• Saman Ghoddos (MF) - released
• Tariqe Fosu (FW) - released

Squad numbers

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

Key players

Star player

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have major roles to play in the absence of star man Toney, but Mathias Jensen remains Brentford's creative talisman.

While not necessarily a playmaker in the mould of an archetypal number ten, Jensen is a supremely gifted passer who plays a pivotal role in the Bees' impressive transition game. He made 37 Premier League appearances last season and notched a more than respectable 11 goal contributions (5G, 6A).

The Danish international boasts a profile atypical to Brentford midfielders we've grown accustomed to seeing under Frank - the industrious, dogged, and aggressive type - but it's this variance which adds to Jensen's importance.

One to watch

Statistically, David Raya performed as one of the Premier League's best goalkeepers last season, so losing him will be a big blow. The Spaniard looks set to join Arsenal before the end of the summer transfer window.

Nevertheless, Brentford had long prepared for his departure and they moved swiftly in the window to sign a replacement in Mark Flekken from Freiburg. The Dutchman enjoyed a fine season in the Bundesliga last time out as he ended the campaign with the fourth-highest save percentage (74) and fifth-highest number of goals prevented (+2.4) in the division.

With Raya proving crucial in ensuring Brentford conceded just 46 goals last season on their way to a ninth-place finish, Flekken will need to settle quickly as the club's new number one.

2023/24 kits

Home kit

Away kit

Third kit

Premier League prediction

Brentford are reliant on the brilliance of Frank to get them through the first half of the season, given the significance of Toney's absence.

The Bees pride themselves on their defensive solidity and their difficulty to play against on home soil, and they'll need to rely on these two things until their primary goalscorer returns. While there's no guarantee Toney will rediscover his most potent form once reintegrated into the team, you can't help but feel that Brentford have got an edge and fighting spirit about them that will get him going.

A poor start could see Brentford looking over their shoulders, but their ability to mix things up and surprise people could yield another mid-table finish.

Brentford 2023/24 Premier League prediction - 10th

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