Sunderland attacker Bertrand Traoré has leapt to the defence of Dango Ouattara after the Brentford forward came under fire for his performances with the Burkina Faso national team this month.
Despite Burkina Faso’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Ethiopia on Sunday, Ouattara’s individual display was criticised by Burkina24, who described it as a “poor performance.”
Traoré, who captained the side during the October internationals, urged fans and media to keep faith in his compatriot, reminding everyone of the 23-year-old’s talent and work ethic.
Bertrand Traoré on Dango Ouattara criticism
“We all know Dango’s quality; he’s one of the best in the national team. If you look at his performance as a whole, he fell short of what he can contribute. I think he created a few chances. He had a lot of desire, but there are days like that.” — Bertrand Traoré, speaking to Burkina24
Traoré’s comments come as a show of solidarity for his international teammate, who joined Brentford from Bournemouth on deadline day and is still finding consistency in both the Premier League and international football.
Ouattara’s recent form for club and country
Ouattara enjoyed an explosive start to his international campaign in September, scoring twice in a 6-0 victory over Djibouti. However, he has since failed to register a goal or assist in his last three appearances for Burkina Faso.
At club level, the winger has featured in all eight Premier League matches for Brentford, contributing one goal while adapting to Thomas Frank’s fluid attacking setup.
Dango Ouattara 2025/26 season stats
Stat (2025/26) | Dango Ouattara |
---|---|
Club | Brentford |
Appearances | 8 |
Goals | 1 |
Assists | 0 |
Shots per game | 1.6 |
source: sofascore Premier League data – 13 October 2025
The young winger remains an important figure in both setups, with Traoré’s backing likely to help ease pressure from the media.
Sunderland’s Bertrand Traoré leading by example
Traoré, who joined Sunderland from Ajax on deadline day, has quickly assumed a leadership role at the club and for his national team. The 30-year-old has played 89 minutes across two league games for the Black Cats as he regains fitness and form.
His calm response to the criticism of Ouattara reflects the experience he’s accumulated from stints in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Eredivisie.
Analyst Verdict — Liam Rowe, FootballPlace
In my view, Traoré’s defence of Ouattara shows the strong unity within Burkina Faso’s squad. Leaders like him recognise that young players need support, not scrutiny, when their form dips.
We believe Ouattara’s adaptation period at Brentford and in the national setup will be temporary. His pace, pressing and direct style fit both systems, and with players like Traoré backing him publicly, confidence should return soon.
Key Insights
- Bertrand Traoré defends Dango Ouattara after criticism from Burkina Faso media.
- Ouattara has one goal in eight Premier League appearances for Brentford.
- Burkina Faso remain unbeaten in October World Cup qualifiers under Brama Traoré.
- Bertrand Traoré captained the side and urged patience with his young teammate.
- Sunderland forward settling in after summer move from Ajax.
What’s Next for Traoré and Ouattara
Both players will now return to club duty after a successful international window. Traoré will push for his first league start with Sunderland, while Ouattara will look to rediscover his scoring touch when Brentford face West Ham next Monday.
Their strong relationship on and off the pitch continues to anchor Burkina Faso’s growing ambitions ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
👉 Do you think Dango Ouattara will soon rediscover his best form for Brentford and Burkina Faso?
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