A summer of loan departures
This summer window has been one like no other for Brentford . Record signings and serious squad depth being added is exciting stuff, but there's another aspect to this summer that has captured the attention of a few. The loan strategy this summer is particularly interesting, permitting development of the inspired, young talent that the club has in abundance.
For years, Brentford 's approach has been to focus on and develop young talent mainly through the B-team pathway. This summer feels different, as there's a key crop of players who have simply outgrown the B-team structure. That level of football isn't enough for them anymore, which is a natural, and very exciting development in the B-team story unfolding at Brentford.
The mass exodus of loans this summer has included the moves of Yunus Konak, Romelle Donovan, and Benjamin Arthur to the Championship. Goalkeeper duo Matthew Cox and Julian Eyestone have both secured moves to League 2. In addition, Ben Krauhaus heads out to Falkirk, Michael Olakigbe sets off to WSG Tirol in Austria, with the new addition of 18-year-old Ecuador international Darwin Guagua being instantly loaned out to Matthew Benham's newly acquired club AD Mérida in the Spanish third tier.
Something to note is that these loan departures are not all to the same level of football. Konak, Donovan, and Arthur - arguably the three most exciting prospects in the youth setup - are set for regular minutes in an ever-improving standard of football in the Championship. More raw assets are being deployed further around the UK and into Europe, showing that Brentford are really looking to tailor each move to the exact level that will bear the most fruit for players that require careful nurturing. Guagua staying within the Brentford system by joining a sister club under the same ownership is particularly telling. It allows Brentford to give high-potential players the chance to make their mark in professional football, while keeping them close enough to monitor their progress and maintain control over assets the club clearly values highly.
What is great to see is the standard of football that these young sparks are able to play at. The progression of the youth setup is typified by the fact that loan departures are now to a standard that the first team used to compete at just several years ago. Consequently, players such as Konak, Donovan, and Arthur are able to experience regular minutes in a high-pressure, physical environment. Upon return, there should be a visible developmental level unlocked, and a potential pathway into more regular Premier League minutes.
What this means for the future
Brentford could soon have a large pool of players returning from loans with genuine, valuable first team experience. Consequently, first team-ready players are developed, squad players are introduced, and transfer assets are put in the shop window. Konak, Donovan, Arthur, and Guagua are clearly seen as those that have a future in the first team before too long. Long-term contracts together with high-quality loan spells mean faith is being put into these talents, and it is down to them to take the opportunity.
Upon Konak signing a contract extension before a loan to Lincoln City , Keith Andrews said that he has "a lot of time for him" as a character and a player, and that he has had "a really good pre-season and you can see the development in his game". Donovan is clearly highly regarded throughout all levels of the club. Andrews reiterates his "high hopes" for the youngster, but stands firm on the level of patience needed before seeing the true value of the tricky forward. At B-team level, manager Sam Saunders gave a particularly apt assessment of Donovan: "I love Rom. He's a player that people want to watch. He gets bums off seats". In addition, Arthur being seen as "untouchable" in the permanent transfer market alongside the loan of Guagua to a club in the Brentford system shows that regular first team involvement is on the horizon for these four youthful gems.
Cox, Eyestone, and Krauhaus are certainly to be watched with a keen eye, too. Cox is highly rated in the England youth setup and has been for years. Eyestone impressively travelled as a training goalkeeper to a home World Cup this summer with the USA squad. Krauhaus is a more unknown quantity, but 3 impressive spells at Bromley during their rise through the National League and League 2 indicate he has the ability to cut it in the English pyramid.
Olakigbe is a touchy subject among Brentford fans. Across 8 Premier League appearances under Thomas Frank in 23/24, he genuinely captured the imaginations of many during a tough season. With the team looking lethargic in attacking plays, Olakigbe was given opportunities in the big time and showed signs of a player with a unique flair to his game. Since then, he has struggled for opportunities at the club and has been faced with a series of rather unsuccessful loans. Now, I'm by no means writing him off at Brentford. Clearly hyper-talented, but being 22 and showing few signs of opportunity at the club, alongside the new level Brentford have risen to, tells me that, unfortunately, there may be better opportunities to pursue elsewhere.
This summer has given many the impression that the club are moving to a new level. Last season was the closest Brentford have ever come to achieving European qualification - missing out on the final day on an agonising goal difference. Since then, squad depth has been unlocked, faith has been put into youngsters to develop their game, and there's a real feeling that plans for the future are becoming clearer. Intriguing times for the Brentford youth setup and the club as a whole.
