Brentford Recruitment Tactics: Building A Squad For European Ambitions In 2025/2026 – Team Analysis

Brentford currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, just three points adrift of a UEFA Europa Conference League qualification spot.

Since their promotion in 2021, Brentford have defied expectations by establishing themselves as a regular in the top flight, with an average league finish of 13th.

This stability has been incredible to see, given that their fellow promoted sides from that season have since been relegated and struggled to return.

Brentford’s ability to adapt and maintain their Premier League status is a testament to the club’s forward-thinking approach, both on and off the pitch.

Yet, the 2025/26 season is an important juncture in Brentford’s Premier League journey.

The club now faces a choice: will they remain a solid mid-table side, or can they use this summer’s recruitment window to transition into a consistent top-half team capable of competing for European football?

This opportunity can be supported by the club’s highly regarded data-driven recruitment model, which has been praised for its efficiency and ingenuity.

The data team identifies undervalued talent and integrates them into Thomas Frank’s tactics, which has been a key pillar of Brentford’s success.

However, this progression comes with its own set of challenges.

Brentford’s upward momentum has drawn attention to both their players and their manager, with several key figures now attracting interest from bigger clubs.

Most notably, Bryan Mbeumo appears destined for a high-profile transfer to a top-six side.

The prospective windfall from his sale, alongside other potential departures, presents Brentford with a Liverpool-and-Phillip Coutinho-esque scenario: The chance to reinvest funds into strengthening the squad, raising the overall quality, and increasing internal competition for places.

This analysis aims to provide a detailed evaluation of Brentford’s current squad, offering recommendations for each player regarding retention, sale, or further development.

Players will be categorised and colour-coded according to the recommended course of action.

Additionally, I will propose four targeted signings, including a suggestion to break the club’s transfer record for a third consecutive year.

This is designed to elevate Brentford from mid-table to genuine European contention.

The Current Brentford Squad  2024/2025

Before diving into potential signings, its essential to examine the current Brentford players and their contractual situations, as this analysis forms the foundation for any strategic recruitment or retention decisions.

The table below presents a detailed overview of the first-team squad as of the 2024/25 season, detailing each player’s age, contract expiry date, market value, and primary position.

Through the use of colour coding, the table is a visual summary of contractual security.

What The Colours Indicate:

• Green (2027+): Players with long-term security. They form the backbone of the squad, providing stability and reducing the pressure for immediate negotiations or sales.
• Orange (2026): Medium-term contracts. These players will soon require renewal talks to avoid entering the ‘last two years’ zone, which can weaken the club’s bargaining position and risk losing value.
• Red (2025): Urgent cases  players entering the final year of their deals. The club must decide whether to offer a new contract, cash in or risk losing them for free.

The composition of Brentford’s 2024/25 squad shows a good degree of stability and strategic foresight in contract management.

A clear majority of the club’s key players are secured on long-term deals extending to 2027 or beyond, which forms a strong platform for both on-field continuity and off-field planning.

There are a handful of senior players whose contracts are set to expire in the immediate future.

Players such as Ben Mee and Josh Dasilva are both in the final year of their agreements.

The present squad is also characterised by youth.

Several prominent contributors, including Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Michael Kayode, and Yegor Yarmolyuk, are 23 years old or younger.

However, Bryan Mbeumo, who is Brentford’s most valuable asset, has a contract expiring in 2026.

This places the club at a crossroads: within the next twelve to eighteen months, they must decide whether to pursue a contract renewal or to consider a high-value transfer while his market worth remains at its peak.

In terms of positional coverage, Brentford’s current squad has depth and contractual security in central defence and midfield.

The attacking midfield and forward positions are also well protected.

The overall picture is one of prudent management.

Based on the contractual situation outlined previously, it is essential to focus on the Brentford players whose contracts expire at the end of this season or the next.

The table below outlines the recommended action plans for each of these cases, taking into account factors such as age, value, homegrown status, squad needs, and the club’s philosophy of sustainable squad development.