Mamadou Sangare, Brentford’s new midfield wonder
By Alex Connor
The 24-year-old dribbled at Lucas Bergvall and played a slick one-two with Dango Ouattara, darting through a gap between Andy Robertson and Mathys Tel, before slipping a low pinpoint cross into Lewis-Potter, who calmly swept Brentford in front.
After joining the Bees from Lens for a club-record £41m earlier in the month, it was the perfect way to begin life in the Premier League. Brentford cruised to a resounding 3-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Sangaré featuring for 76 minutes and producing a dominant, all-encompassing, full-throttle midfield performance.
Sangaré’s physicality, defensive instincts and ball-carrying ability were particularly impressive throughout. Along with the assist, he created two chances, made six line-breaking passes, won six ground duels and registered 13 defensive contributions, including a whopping seven recoveries. It was a dream debut, where he bossed proceedings and completely upstaged Spurs’ lacklustre midfield, tormenting £100m club-record recruit Sandro Tonali.
The Mali international followed up this fluent top-flight display by also sparkling in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, coming on as a second-half substitute in Brentford’s 6-1 demolition of Birmingham City at St Andrews. For his side’s final goal, Mikkel Damsgaard eventually worked the ball to Sangaré, who confidently glided away from Jay Stansfield and floated an exquisite delivery into the box for captain Nathan Collins to nod in a header.
The excitement around Sangaré has been building following a superb season in France. He made 33 appearances for Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold) in all competitions as Lens jumped from eighth in the previous campaign to finish second in Ligue 1 – just six points adrift of table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain – to qualify for the Champions League, and won their first-ever Coupe de France title thanks to a 3-1 triumph over Nice in the final.
This silverware capped off a superb campaign for Sangaré. In Ligue 1, he won possession back for his side on more occasions than any of his positional peers (207), also ranking second for duels won (190) and tackles (86) across the whole league. Sangaré rightly scooped the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, awarded to the best African player in the French top flight.
These defensive numbers have allowed Sangaré’s reputation to skyrocket as a midfield pivot. Still, former Mali manager Tom Saintfiet notes that his “multifunctional qualities” allow him to play anywhere in midfield and in more attacking areas, making him such a versatile, all-round player. We have first-hand evidence of exactly what Saintfiet was alluding to in Sangaré’s pivotal role in Lewis-Potter’s strike against Spurs and Collins’ header in midweek.
Unquestionably, Sangaré has translated this commanding form over to English football. He has enjoyed a humble and understated rise to the Premier League spotlight. After a series of loans while on the books at Red Bull Salzburg between 2020 and 2024, and solitary seasons at Rapid Wien and Lens, Sangaré seems to be relishing his newfound status and importance in West London.
Speaking to the club’s official media about Sangare’s arrival, head coach Keith Andrews said “he fits everything we want from a Brentford player, on and off the pitch.” The Bees’ willingness to spend a club-record fee illustrates their unwavering belief in Sangaré’s ability.
Brentford appears to be the perfect environment to develop – a stable, high-achieving club that has fostered such a positive culture, away from the crippling pressure that any of the ‘Big Six’ are guaranteed to attract. If Sangaré then consistently performs as Brentford have envisioned, they could be set to make an extraordinary profit if they receive an irresistible offer. It seems almost ridiculous to preempt Sangaré’s departure, given he’s only been at the club a matter of weeks, but the transfer market’s current flex indicates the cost of Premier League-proven players has risen exponentially. Next summer, Sangaré could enter this category.
Last season, Brentford narrowly missed out on Conference League football on goal difference at the expense of Brighton after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool on the final day, despite the Seagulls losing 3-0 to Manchester United. Europe painfully and annoyingly slipped through Brentford’s grasp, with Andrews’ men winning just one of their last 10 league matches. Therefore, the aim for this current campaign is clear. Could Sangaré be the added component to take Brentford into Europe for the first time?
Sangaré’s arrival, combined with other astute signings such as Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony, means that Brentford are very well prepared for what is to come. With other top-eight competitors including Bournemouth and Sunderland having to deal with midweek European fixtures, there is a serious opportunity for Brentford’s current squad to make history.
Given the eye-watering amounts other clubs have splashed on midfielders, Sangaré’s modest transfer fee could be considered a bargain in the current market. There’s the obvious caveat that we’re still in the early stages of Sangaré’s Brentford career. Time will ultimately tell. However, the first few snippets of his talent are more than encouraging and Brentford look to have uncovered a real gem.
(Images via IMAGO)
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