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Marvellous Mbeumo close to return!

Writer's picture: Ewan WorboysEwan Worboys

Great news for Brentford fans as Bryan Mbeumo is due back on the pitch soon. Mbeumo who was injured in the Bees 2-1 defeat to Brighton back in early December is back in training and working his way towards full fitness. Before sustaining his ankle injury, Mbeumo was in fine form, scoring seven goals and grabbing three assists in fifteen appearances. The exciting forward spoke publicly today and addressed whilst he is back training with the team, he doesn't expect to play any minutes in the Premier League for another three weeks. This news could potentially mean Mbeumo will be available around the 30th of March for Brentford's clash with Manchester United.


Mbeumo began the season on flames. At only 24 years of age, he would be considered a senior member of the team and having spent four and a bit years at the club it's clear why he is so important to Brentford being successful. As a player he had big boots to fill at the start of this season. Ivan Toney's long-term suspension meant he was the main man in attack and therefore had to provide the goals to a similar consistency of what Toney himself was achieving the season before.



Mbeumo was going toe-to-toe with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland in the lead up to Christmas. His injury was devastating to the Bees building on any momentum they had. In the absence of Toney, Mbeumo was exceeding expectations, his ten goal contributions in fifteen games was proof Brentford were in safe hands. His presence in transition and contribution to play in the final third was key to Thomas Frank's side maintaining a goal scoring threat.


When the Cameroonian was taken off verses Brighton, it was a worrying a sight. Mbeumo was suffering evident discomfort and for Bees fans I'm sure it was a head in the hands moment as arguably this was a major turning point for their season. Brentford weren't tearing the league apart however with Mbeumo on the pitch they were coping. He was pivotal in commanding victories over Chelsea, Burnley and West London rivals Fulham. The results and more importantly the performances displayed by Brentford in these games were exceptional and yet ever since Mbeumo has been sidelined they have failed to replicate anymore eye-catching wins.



The bees have managed to ease some pressure on themselves after picking up a point against Chelsea at the weekend. They are far from comfortable though and still remain just above the relegation zone in 15th.


In such lacklustre form Mbeumo could be the spark to bring Brentford back to life. The most significant part of his return is the potential for him to be reunited upfront with strike partner Ivan Toney. As a pairing the duo are lethal and it would be far from surprising to see them causing havoc once more. Mbeumo offers an explosiveness Brentford have lacked going forward and his ability drive at defenders with pace alongside Toney's elite qualities to hold up the ball and create could see them scoring more goals again.


Thomas Frank will be eager to throw Mbeumo back into the team as soon as possible. His team has been unsettled by injuries all season and have been done no favours by Ben Mee sustaining a blow to put him out for the rest of the campaign. Therefore, defensively Frank has very limited options to play around with meaning he'll be way more reliant on those up top scoring goals. Mbeumo will support towards this and he will no doubt know that to ensure Brentford's survival he must hit the ground running again. Brentford's defence will be inexperienced in playing together and may be more vulnerable as a consequence, so having Mbeumo as an outlet may ease the pressure on those at the back.



Rumour has it if Manchester United are to sack Erik Ten Hag, Thomas Frank is amongst their shortlist to replace the Dutchmen. This is a scenario that seems highly unlikely and Frank will remain focused on keeping his team in the league first but it portrays how a big team like Manchester United admire his work considering all the setbacks the Danish men has faced this season with his squad.


It's been an unfortunate season to say the least for Brentford but Mbeumo confirming his comeback is promising for the side. Hopefully other players such as Kevin Schade and Aaron Hickey will also return to action soon because this will provide another massive boost to the Bees finishing the season with a strengthened chance of securing more points to elevate them away from the relegation zone.




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