Sangare: Why I Snubbed Europe's Elite for Brentford — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Mamadou Sangare told Sky Sports he rejected 'a lot of clubs' including elite European sides because 'Brentford was the best place for my development,' citing a coach who 'really wanted me' over Champions League football.
- Sangare starred for RC Lens last season, helping them finish as Ligue 1 runners-up and win the French Cup, and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year at age 24, edging PSG duo Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz.
- Brentford presented Sangare with a detailed scouting breakdown of his strengths, weaknesses and the coach's tactical plan — an approach Sangare said he had 'never seen before' and compared to the 28-viewing pitch that convinced Bryan Mbeumo, who was later sold to Manchester United for £71m.
- Sangare marked his Premier League debut with two assists in Brentford's opening-weekend win over Tottenham, drawing a 'He can play for a top four club' verdict from Jamie Redknapp.
- Despite that start, Sangare has begun the last two matches against Chelsea and Aston Villa on the bench, with manager Keith Andrews preferring Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen and Yehor Yarmoliuk in midfield.
- Sangare averages more tackles per 90 minutes than any other Premier League player, with only Man City's Elliot Anderson winning more ground duels.
- Sitting fourth and unbeaten after six games, Sangare said Brentford should target more than Europe: 'Why can't we also reach the top four, or the top two?'
Why it matters: Brentford are paying premium wages for a midfielder elite clubs chased, and Sangare's willingness to bench him for Janelt, Jensen and Yarmoliuk signals the depth of Andrews' squad. If Sangare wins back his spot and sustains his tackle and duel numbers, Brentford's £200m-plus conveyor belt of player-trading profits — Mbeumo to Man United for £71m, plus Toney, Wissa and Raya — gains its next marquee asset.
Ask SkimNews
