Three Brentford players to watch in PL opener

Tottenham travel to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm) for their Premier League opener against Brentford, who finished ninth last season and broke their transfer record this summer.

Caoimhin Kelleher is Brentford's first-choice goalkeeper after joining from Liverpool in 2025 following a decade at Anfield. The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international made 110 saves last season and kept out three of eight penalties faced, including a stop against Bruno Fernandes. He is also noted for having denied Kylian Mbappé from the spot during his career.

Mamadou Sangaré is Brentford's record signing, arriving this summer from Lens. The Mali international ranked second in Ligue 1 for tackles won and third for ground duels won during the 2025/26 campaign, also finishing in the top 10 for interceptions. He contributed three league goals, won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé as the best African player in Ligue 1, earned a place in the UNFP Team of the Year and scored in Brentford's 7-0 friendly win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Igor Thiago is the Brazilian striker Brentford will look to for goals. The 6ft 3in centre forward scored 22 goals in 38 Premier League appearances last season — a tally bettered only by Erling Haaland's 27 for Manchester City. His hold-up play, movement and work rate give Brentford an outlet when under pressure.

Brentford narrowly missed European qualification last season, finishing ninth and losing out on goal difference to Brighton.