Brentford finished 9th — and Igor Thiago broke out
Brentford finished 9th in 2025/26 with 53 points. Igor Thiago, in his first full PL season, scored 22 league goals — finishing 2nd in the Golden Boot race behind only Haaland. The structural identity remains: Thomas Frank's 4-2-3-1 with elite set-piece routines under coach Keith Andrews (in his second season). For Fantasy Premier League managers, Brentford's 26/27 outlook is defined by two questions: does Thiago repeat the breakout, and does Bryan Mbeumo finally move on?
Igor Thiago — the breakout-budget-striker template pick
Igor Thiago (projected £7.0-7.5m) is one of the cleanest "breakout-budget-striker" template picks for 26/27. 22 PL goals + nailed penalty role + Brentford's set-piece identity that generates 6-8 set-play goals per season for the centre-forward. At his projected price he is a defensible 3rd or 4th forward in any structure that fits Haaland + Isak + Thiago + Watkins, or any similar template.
The case against: the "second-season defended-against" effect that punishes breakout strikers in their second PL year (Wood 2024/25, Solanke 2024/25, etc). The model expects 15-18 goal regression rather than another 22. That still justifies the £7.0-7.5m price.
Bryan Mbeumo — the transfer-rumour question
Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m projected if he stays) has been linked to Newcastle, Tottenham, and Manchester United through the summer. As of 15 June 2026, no move is confirmed. The FPL implications: if Mbeumo stays at Brentford, he is a credible £8.0m mid-bracket midfielder (he has been at this price level for two years and still over-delivers). If he moves to a top-six club, he becomes a £8.5-9.5m premium-mid candidate at the new club.
Watch confirmation through the first 10 days of the window. Either path makes Mbeumo a credible 26/27 FPL pick — the new question is just "at which club?"
Other Brentford picks: Collins, Flekken, set-piece defenders
Nathan Collins (£5.0m, captain) is Brentford's standout defender — set-piece target, BPS contributor. Mark Flekken (£4.5-5.0m) is the goalkeeper alternative to Roefs if you want a starting Premier League GK at the budget tier. Keith Andrews' set-piece routines mean Brentford generate more centre-back goals than any non-top-six club — Collins is the beneficiary at a projected £5.0m.
Recommended exposure: Thiago + Collins + Mbeumo (if he stays) is the cleanest "triple Brentford" template. None are captain-worthy but all are points-per-pound efficient.