Igor Thiago has scored just one goal in seven Premier League games this season
Brentford striker Igor Thiago has endured a slow start to 2026/27, scoring once and assisting once in seven league games, a year after his 22-goal campaign. Head coach Keith Andrews insists he is not worried, pointing to the Brazilian's overall performances and Brentford's shared goalscoring burden ahead of Sunday's trip to Hull City.
- Fixture: Hull City vs Brentford, Super Sunday, MKM Stadium, kick-off 2pm (live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm)
- Thiago's 2026/27: 7 league games, 1 goal, 1 assist
- Thiago's 2025/26: 22 Premier League goals, a record for a Brazilian in a single season
- Brentford's position: 6th, with 13 goals scored
- Andrews' verdict: "His overall performances have been really good so I'm not really worried"
What was said
"He's fine. I don't sense anything around his demeanour, whether it's in training, the calmness he has in front of goal."
"He's a marked man, for obvious reasons. He's getting some really close attention from the opposition players."
"We've had nine different goalscorers and what that is doing is creating more space for other players to exploit, which we have done."
"Thiago being Thiago, he wants to score more goals. That's only natural. But his overall performances have been really good so I'm not really worried."
"We value him so much as a player, not just because of his goals. He's in a good place and he's enjoying his football. He loves being here and we love having him here."
"For this game, Igor is strong up front, he's aggressive, he can fight for the ball in the air. I believe Igor can be good for the team in this game."
Andrews' public backing is deliberate. He could have focused on the missed chances, but instead he highlighted Thiago's demeanour in training and the fact that opponents are double-marking him. That creates space for others, and Brentford have exploited it: nine different players have scored in the league this season. Andrews also referenced Thiago's overall performances, not just his goals, suggesting the coaching staff are judging him on hold-up play, pressing and duels as much as finishing. The Brazilian's confidence is clearly a topic inside the club, but the message from the top is clear: there is no panic.
The numbers
- 2025/26: 22 Premier League goals for Thiago, the most by a Brazilian in a single season in Premier League history; the most by a Brentford player in the top flight for 88 years.
- 2026/27: 7 league games, 1 goal, 1 assist.
- Expected goals (xG): 2.41 in his first four league games this season; his goal drought extended to seven games before he scored against Chelsea on September 18.
- Compared to same stage last season: Thiago is taking around three more touches in the opposition box per game, hitting more shots but fewer on target; his xG is higher, but he had scored four goals after seven games in 2025/26 compared to one in 2026/27.
- Brentford's goals: 13 in the league this season, 12 scored by eight players other than Thiago; only Brighton (23), Manchester City (19) and Chelsea (17) have scored more.
- Distance covered: 72.7km, behind only Vitaly Janelt (83.16km) and Kristoffer Ajer (74.66km) among Brentford players.
- Pressing: Thiago has applied more high pressure than any of his team-mates and won plenty of duels.
Why Keith Andrews is right to keep faith with Igor Thiago
On the surface, one goal in seven games for a striker who scored 22 last season looks like a crisis. But the underlying numbers tell a different story. Thiago is getting into better positions than he did at the same stage last year: more touches in the box, more shots, higher expected goals. The finishing has been off, most notably when he hit the post from the penalty spot against Tottenham on the opening weekend, but the process is sound. Brentford's medical and performance staff will know that if he keeps generating those chances, the goals will come.
What has changed is the attention he receives. Andrews called him a "marked man", and that is backed up by the fact that Brentford have had nine different goalscorers in the league this season. Opponents are doubling up on Thiago, which leaves space for the likes of Kevin Schade, Keane Lewis-Potter and Jaidon Anthony. The Bees sit sixth and have scored 13 goals, with only three clubs scoring more. Dropping him would remove that focal point and risk disrupting an attack that is functioning well as a unit.
There is also the World Cup factor. Thiago started Brazil's opening game against Morocco but was replaced after 62 minutes and did not feature again. That early exit, after a disrupted first season in England, may have affected his rhythm. But Andrews has seen no drop in his demeanour or training levels, and the distance covered stats show a player still working as hard as anyone. With data playing a big part at Brentford, they will know that his all-round performance levels are consistent. The goals are likely to follow.
Talking points
- Should Brentford drop Thiago to give him a mental break, or does that risk damaging his confidence further? Andrews clearly believes the latter.
- The penalty miss against Tottenham set the tone for his season. Would a different penalty taker have changed the narrative around him?
- Brentford's spread of goals is impressive, but can they sustain a top-six challenge without a prolific striker? Thiago's return to form could be the difference.
- Brazil's decision to start him against Morocco and then bench him may have harmed his momentum. Is international football helping or hindering him?
What happens next
Brentford travel to the MKM Stadium to face Hull City on Super Sunday, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm. Thiago will likely start as the focal point of the attack. A goal against Hull could be the spark to reignite his season, and with Brentford sitting sixth, three points would keep them in the European places. Andrews will be hoping his faith is repaid.
Frequently asked questions
How many goals has Igor Thiago scored this season?
Thiago has scored one goal and provided one assist in seven Premier League games for Brentford in 2026/27.
Why is Igor Thiago not scoring for Brentford?
Thiago is taking more touches in the box and having more shots than last season, but fewer are on target. He is also receiving close attention from opponents, and his goal drought extended to seven games before he scored against Chelsea.
What did Keith Andrews say about Igor Thiago?
Andrews said he is not worried about Thiago's confidence, calling his overall performances "really good" and highlighting that he is a marked man and that Brentford's goals are shared among nine different scorers.
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