Brentford are playing a dangerous game with their attack after selling Yoane Wissa to Newcastle for £55million without bringing in a proven replacement.
Deadline Day ended quietly for the Bees, with Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson the only reinforcement. Director of football Phil Giles admitted this week that the frontline remains a work in progress, warning fans that it will “take time to adapt and gel” after the loss of both Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo in one turbulent summer.
Brentford Banking on Igor Thiago
Wissa’s exit has left Igor Thiago as Keith Andrews’ only recognised senior striker. The Brazilian has begun the season well, scoring three goals in four matches, but concerns linger over his durability after missing much of last year with injury.
Brentford believe Kevin Schade can back up Thiago, while Nelson is expected to provide depth on the flanks. But it is a high-stakes gamble. Should Thiago suffer another setback, the Bees would suddenly be left without a reliable centre-forward option.
“Offensively, it’ll take time to adapt and gel,” said Giles. “But change brings opportunity.” — Phil Giles, Brentford director of football
What Brentford Have Lost
Between Wissa and Mbeumo, Brentford have lost 39 of the 66 Premier League goals they scored last season — nearly 60 percent of their attacking output. That level of firepower is not easily replaced, and puts added pressure on new arrivals and existing players to step up.
Dango Ouattara offered encouragement by scoring the winner on his debut against Aston Villa, while Fabio Carvalho is still seen as a major talent despite being used sparingly so far. Andrews has high expectations for the 23-year-old, who arrived last summer for a significant fee, but has yet to unlock his full potential.
What Brentford Have Lost
| Stat (2024/25) | Yoane Wissa | Bryan Mbeumo | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 39 | 38 | 77 |
| Goals | 20 | 19 | 39 |
| Assists | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Total G/A Contribution | 25 | 29 | 54 |
source: sofascore match data – 2024/25 season
Brentford’s attack has been stripped of 39 goals and 15 assists, meaning a total of 54 goal contributions are gone from last season’s squad. Losing two forwards who carried nearly 60 percent of their Premier League output creates an enormous void. It places huge pressure on Igor Thiago, Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade, and Reiss Nelson to share the load, with Fabio Carvalho still yet to show his full potential.
Analyst Verdict — John William
Brentford’s decision not to replace Wissa with another proven goalscorer is one of the boldest gambles of the window. It places an extraordinary burden on Igor Thiago, who is still finding his feet in English football after a disrupted first year.
If the Brazilian stays fit, the plan may just about work. But should he falter, Brentford risk sliding down the table with no safety net in attack. For a club that prides itself on smart recruitment, this feels more like a roll of the dice than a calculated move.
Key Insights
- Brentford sold Yoane Wissa to Newcastle for £55m but failed to sign a replacement.
- Igor Thiago is now the only senior striker, with Kevin Schade and Reiss Nelson providing cover.
- The club lost 39 of 66 Premier League goals with the exits of Wissa and Mbeumo.
- Phil Giles admits the attack “still needs work” but insists change brings opportunity.
- Dango Ouattara and Fabio Carvalho are seen as key to bridging the gap.
What’s Next for Brentford?
Andrews must quickly find the right balance in attack, with Schade and Carvalho needing to hit form fast. January may prove decisive if Brentford are still short of firepower, with the club likely to revisit the striker market depending on Thiago’s fitness.
Can Igor Thiago shoulder the load as Brentford’s only senior striker — or will the Bees regret not replacing Yoane Wissa?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 4 Sep 2025 14:30
Thiago looks good to be honest. I think he has scored 3 goals in 4 games if im not mistaken.
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