Sangare Urges Brentford to Chase Top-Two Premier League Finish
Mamadou Sangare believes Brentford can turn an unbeaten opening to the Premier League season into the club’s first European qualification, insisting the Bees should not rule out a challenge for the top two.
An unbeaten start changes the scale of Brentford’s ambition
Brentford sit fourth after six league matches, five points behind second-placed Arsenal, having avoided defeat while recording notable victories against Tottenham and Chelsea.
For Sangare, the immediate objective remains clear: win as many matches as possible and take Brentford into Europe for the first time. But the midfielder sees no reason for the squad to impose a ceiling on its ambitions while results and performances continue to support them.
“The goal is to reach Europe and win as many games as possible,” Sangare said. “We know that Brentford has never played a European game before.
“Why can’t we get into the top four, or even the top two? Why can’t we produce a genuine surprise? We are a strong team in this league, with very good players and a great coach.”
A club accustomed to outperforming expectations
Brentford first reached the Premier League in 2021 and have since established themselves at the top level despite operating outside the division’s financial elite.
The club finished ninth last season, narrowly missing a first-ever place in European competition, even after the departure of long-serving manager Thomas Frank. Their recruitment model has remained central to that progress, with Brentford repeatedly identifying players overlooked elsewhere and developing them into important first-team figures.
Sangare arrived from Lens this summer for a club-record fee and has quickly made an impression in midfield through his tackling and work without the ball. The 24-year-old’s early influence has matched Brentford’s broader momentum during the opening weeks.
Why Sangare chose the Bees
Several leading European clubs were looking for a holding midfielder during the summer window, and Sangare confirmed there was interest from elsewhere before he committed to Brentford.
He declined to identify the clubs involved, stressing that the decision was based on the opportunity to improve rather than the profile of a potential destination.
“It is true that there was interest from big European clubs, but I will not name them out of respect,” he said.
“There were many clubs. What mattered most to me was knowing where I could develop, and Brentford was the best place for that.
“Having a coach who genuinely wanted me was important. That is why I picked Brentford.”
Timeline of Brentford’s rise
- Brentford won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2021.
- The Bees consolidated their place in the division through a recruitment-led approach.
- They finished ninth last season and narrowly fell short of Europe despite Thomas Frank’s departure.
- Sangare joined from Lens this summer in a club-record transfer.
- After six unbeaten league games, Brentford are fourth, with wins over Tottenham and Chelsea.
Key takeaways
- Brentford’s stated target is European qualification, which would be a first for the club.
- Sangare believes a top-four or top-two finish should not be dismissed at this stage.
- The Bees are five points behind Arsenal in second place after six fixtures.
- Sangare chose Brentford despite approaches from other European clubs because of the development pathway and the coach’s backing.
- His arrival continues Brentford’s strategy of finding and improving talent outside the most obvious recruitment markets.
