Igor Thiago's Goal Drought: Why Brentford Are Not Panicking

1 hour ago·2 min

Igor Thiago wrote his name into the Premier League record books in 2025/26, netting 22 goals — the most ever scored by a Brazilian in a single top-flight season in England. Yet seven games into 2026/27, the Brentford striker has managed only one goal and one assist, raising questions about whether last season's form was a flash in the pan.

A World Cup to forget

Thiago's sluggish start to the season may owe something to a difficult FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti handed him a surprise starting berth for the opening group match against Morocco, citing his aerial strength and physical presence. But the striker struggled to make an impact.

He spurned a prime headed chance in the 13th minute after Vinicius Junior delivered a pinpoint cross from the left. A long-range effort early in the second half was comfortably saved by Yassine Bono. By the 62nd minute, Ancelotti had seen enough, withdrawing Thiago in favour of Luiz Henrique — and the Brentford forward did not feature in the tournament again.

Moments that have summed up his season

The frustration carried into the new Premier League campaign. On the opening weekend, with Brentford leading Tottenham 3-0, Thiago stepped up to take a penalty — only to strike the base of the left-hand post despite goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky diving the wrong way. The miss was written across his face.

His drought — which had actually begun at the tail end of 2025/26 — finally ended on September 18, when he reacted fastest to a rebound to put Brentford 2-0 ahead against Chelsea. It looked like a turning point, but the goals have not followed since. In the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, he managed just a single shot, and against Liverpool he squandered a close-range chance set up by Jaidon Anthony's driving run.

The numbers tell a nuanced story

Thiago's underlying statistics are not alarming. He is taking roughly three more touches per game inside the opposition box compared to the same stage last season and hitting more shots overall — though a lower proportion are finding the target. His accumulated xG is also higher than it was after seven games in 2025/26, even though he had scored four by that point last season versus one this time around.

Beyond goals, he leads Brentford in high-pressure actions and ranks third in distance covered among outfield players, with 72.7km — behind only Vitaly Janelt (83.16km) and Kristoffer Ajer (74.66km).