Sport
Premier League’s biggest clubs should be interested in all-rounder Mbuemo
Only four players have scored more Premier League goals than Bryan Mbuemo this season. Indeed, the 24-year-old has been in sparkling form for Brentford of late, scoring and assisting in the Bees’ 2-0 away win over Chelsea on Saturday. Right now, Mbuemo is one of the most influential attackers in English football.
Brentford have needed him to be influential. Ivan Toney hasn’t played for the club since May due to a betting suspension and the England international’s absence had the potential to derail Thomas Frank’s team. While it has had an impact, the damage would have been worth had it not been for Mbuemo.
Mbuemo is an excellent attacking all-rounder in that he is a sharp finisher in front of goal, but is also capable of creating and facilitating others around him. This has helped get the best out of teammates like Yoane Wissa and Mathias Jensen who have also taken a step forward in their development this season.
The Premier League’s biggest clubs should be looking at Mbuemo with the January transfer window starting to appear on the horizon. The Cameroonian international would be a good fit for a number of teams near the top of the table and appears ready for the next step in his career. Brentford might find it difficult to hang on to Mbuemo for much longer.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur are currently setting the pace at the top of the Premier League and their high-energy, high-risk brand of football would give Mbuemo a good chance of success there. The 24-year-old’s versatility across a number of different attacking positions would also surely appeal to Postecoglou.
Liverpool have once again become the best transition team in the Premier League this season and Brentford’s counter-attacking approach would theoretically give Mbuemo a good grounding in the type of football favoured by Jurgen Klopp. Whether or not the Reds would move for another attacking is another matter.
Chelsea is another team that could use a player like Mbuemo, especially after he put the Blues to the sword at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Mauricio Pochettino wants his side to play dynamic, possession-based football with intensity and pace and all these things suggest Mbuemo would be a good signing for them.
There isn’t a ‘Big Six’ squad that wouldn’t be improved by the signing of Mbuemo who has established himself as a proven difference-maker in the Premier League over the last three seasons. The attacker recently signed a new contract to keep him at Brentford until 2026, but every player has a price – particularly when the Premier League elite come calling.
While Brentford might not want to sell one of their best players, moving on Mbuemo to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs would allow them to start a trade route that could benefit the West London club in the long-term. They could point to Mbuemo when chasing new signings to demonstrate the sort of springboard they can provide. Being a selling club could actually make Brentford stronger.
Toney’s return will boost Brentford who are sitting comfortably in mid-table after recent wins over Chelsea and Burnley. Frank has spoken about making the club a permanent fixture in the top half of the Premier League table and they are well-positioned to do that after finishing ninth last season.
It wouldn’t be surprising, though, if Brentford lose Mbuemo after January. The Cameroonian is a modern attacker who would suit a number of different teams at a higher level. If Toney drew the attention of several clubs, as was the case before his suspension, then Mbuemo is surely on the radar too.
