Nathan Collins: Brentford's Incoming Defender

Discussion around Brentford's prospects next season may have centred around their ability to replace Ivan Toney's goals. But for summer recruit and club record signing Nathan Collins, 'chance creation begins at the back.' Ireland's most expensive export may ply his trade in defence, but his forward-thinking style looks set to transform a Brentford side intent on breaking all types of records on and off the pitch. 

Thomas Frank's side finished 9th last season, just three points away from European qualification, and with only the top four conceding fewer than their 46 goals, they owe much of their success to a watertight defence. So why pay £23 million for a player with just a handful of top-level experience? Well, this is a squad with an ageing backline whose foundations are forged in the football league, and whilst they've more than held their own since promotion in 2021, a changing of the guard appears in order, and Collins represents the next generation. 

A centre-back who thrives with the ball at his feet, Collins brings a refreshing front-footedness to a defence that has survived on willpower alone for long enough. Without looking to downplay the efforts of Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee and Mathias Jorgensen, Brentford ranked fifth for shots blocked but 19th for touches taken in the Premier League last season, a comparison indicative of their backs-to-the-wall style of defending. 

They defend deep, soak up pressure, and counterattack with ruthless efficiency, a tactic that serves its purpose, but for a team as ambitious as Brentford has its drawbacks. Frank's men need more control of the ball, and Collins offers that. The 6'4 centre-half averages an 88% pass completion rate - of Brentford's centre-backs options, only Mee (80.3%) managed to record a pass completion rate above 80%. But this doesn't mean he keeps it simple. Collins is just as comfortable playing long as he is short.