Mamadou Sangare could be playing football in the Champions League this week. After all, the signs point to him being an elite-level player.
Not only was the midfielder a star for RC Lens last season – they were instrumental in their finish as Ligue 1 runners-up and Coupe de France champions – but there were major European clubs eyeing his signature in the summer.
And not just the big clubs, but the elite of the elite. Yet Brentford, who have no European football this season, spurned those big clubs.
“Yes, that’s right,” he says Sky Sports from Brentford’s training ground regarding this interest. “But out of respect, I won’t name any names.
“There were a lot of clubs. The most important thing for me was knowing where I could progress. And Brentford was the best place for me to develop.
“A manager who really wanted me was something that was important to me. That’s why I chose Brentford.”
It’s fair to say that Sangare got a big ride. Alongside his club success with Lens, he was named Ligue 1 Team of the Year at the age of 24, bringing Paris Saint-Germain duo Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz into the midfield spot.
So is it difficult to say no to some big European clubs? “No, it wasn’t difficult,” he replies.
“Just because a big club calls, it doesn’t mean you have to say yes. You have to see a lot of different aspects.
“I’m a bit different to other players because I see things differently. For me, Brentford was the best choice – as a young player, as a player who still has to prove himself at a high level.
“I think choosing Brentford was the best choice for me to progress and realize my best potential.”
“I’ve never seen an approach like that,” Sangare told him on Brentford’s pitch
If it wasn’t a coup for Brentford when Sangare joined, it certainly was one after his Premier League debut. He bagged two assists as the Bees hammered Tottenham on the opening weekend, but his ease of movement in his Premier League debut has made him a star for the future.
“He can play in the top four,” said Jamie Redknapp after that display. The big question for everyone was: How do Brentford find and continue to acquire future gems?
Preparation is key when it comes to Brentford, who introduced the club to incoming players through a very detailed presentation.
Bryan Mbeumo recently revealed just how fundamental Brentford’s pitch can be. The Bees watched him 28 times for Ligue 2 side Troyes before signing him in 2019, then put all his strengths and weaknesses on display.
That introduction gave him a clear idea of where he could fit in, where he could improve – and seven years later he was sold to Manchester United for £71million. He scored 20 Premier League goals in one season for the French second division player for the Bees.
And for Sangare? “It was exactly the same,” he says of Brentford’s offer to him in the summer.
“It was unbelievable. It was the first time I’ve seen anything like that. I’ve been to a few clubs, but I’ve never seen such an approach.
“Brentford have a well-established set-up. It’s something I’ve never seen before – that’s what really made me choose this club.
“I had a positive, detailed discussion with the coach. He showed me his style of play and what he expects from me.
“He also showed me the tools that could allow me to improve. He showed me my weaknesses and what I need to work on. I’m a young player, I really liked that.
“When a coach talks to you like that, it shows that he wants to see you improve. That was very important to me.”
But not all roads are straight in football. Despite being Brentford’s new darling, he has started the last two games against Chelsea and Aston Villa on the bench.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Brentford fans have sung brilliant new songs for Mamadou Sangare’s summer transfer
There is no injury. Instead, he competes for a starting midfield spot with the pair of reliable long-timers Vitali Janelt and Mathias Jensen. Yehor Yarmoliuk is another up and coming option in the position and scored at Villa. After such a high-profile start, Sangare had to wait his turn.
“I haven’t talked much with the coach about it,” Sangare said of his recent appearances on the bench. “He’s a coach, he’s a boss. I’m a player like many others. It’s not just about me.
“The most important thing is the team. That’s what matters. Whether I start or not, as long as they need me, I’ll be there.
“I wouldn’t say I lost, but it’s up to me to work harder to get my place back. It’s up to me to keep working and even harder than others. We’ll see how it goes.”
Despite his limited appearances in recent weeks, Sangare has still shown his worth. He is the top goalscorer per 90 minutes by a Premier League player, while only Man City’s Elliott Anderson has won more duels than the Mali midfielder.
Mamadou Sangare is still one of the best defensive midfielders in the league this season.
Having a player of Sangare’s caliber in the team makes Brentford a tough team to beat. They are still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, beating Chelsea and Tottenham and drawing with Aston Villa.
Liverpool are next at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday having been stung by Keith Andrews’ side in this fixture last season. Although they have never played a European match before, Brentford are a continental club.
“Why can’t Brentford get into the top four or top two?”
Sangare overcame all odds at Lens last season, leading them to Europe and winning the trophy. It would be the perfect tonic this season for Brentford fans who have never won a major trophy in their history.
But with Brentford sitting fourth in the table after six games, Sangari’s message is clear: Europe is not enough.
“The aim is to get to Europe and win as many games as possible,” he says. “We know that Brentford have never played a European game before.
“Why can’t we get into the top four or the top two? Why can’t we make a real surprise? Because we are a good team in the league. We have a very good team with very good players and a great coach.”
These are the ambitions of the team. What about him? After performing for Brentford this season after the Bees splashed out around £200m for Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney and David Raya, many have branded him as the next player off the conveyor belt.
“I’ve seen some comments about that,” Sangare said of the transfer rumors that have already linked him with a move. “I don’t think about it too much, I just want to work and help the team achieve their goals.
“They put a lot of money in me. They trusted me. It’s up to me to do everything to make it happen – winning games, improving the team.
“These are the things I have to focus on, not transfers or anything like that. I have to focus on the team. We have to do that. Let’s improve the team by winning games and achieving our goals.”