\n<\/p>\n
Brentford<\/a>‘s decision not to bring in another striker was in part down to circumstance, with Wissa’s move not going through until deadline day.<\/p>\n But they also knew they had a \u00a330m striker already waiting to go.<\/p>\n Igor Thiago joined from Club Brugge in July 2024 for a then club record fee, but was plagued by injury in his debut campaign, going goalless in eight appearances.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old has gone about making up for lost time this season, though, with his double against Sunderland<\/a> taking him to 16 league goals – the most by a Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n Given the countrymen who have come before him, that is some accomplishment, especially with 17 games remaining.<\/p>\n “He’s been a breath of fresh air,” former Liverpool<\/a> midfielder Danny Murphy said on BBC Match of the Day.<\/p>\n “He’s physically intimidating, quick, strong, but technically better than people think. Good with his feet, both feet, he can score off both. You can see he’s full of confidence.<\/p>\n “These numbers are fantastic. He must be so proud. That’s a big compliment to him.”<\/p>\n That only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe have scored more in any of Europe’s top five leagues to this point shows the level he is playing at.<\/p>\n And it is not just the quantity but the timing of the goals that have been so important for Brentford<\/a>.<\/p>\n His first goal against the Black Cats was his seventh opener of the season. Given how often we are told the importance of the first goal in a game, having someone you can rely on to take that first big chance cannot be underestimated.<\/p>\n Prior to the game against Sunderland<\/a>, no player to have attempted at least 30 shots this season has a better shooting accuracy than Igor Thiago’s 59.1%.<\/p>\n He hits the target. Do that often enough and the goals will – and have – come.<\/p>\n