“Wissa is not for sale”: Thomas Frank Ahead of Brentford’s Clash Against Crystal Palace
Thomas Frank dampened Nottingham Forest’s hopes of a super winter signing ahead of Brentford’s away fixture against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. He reiterated that Yoane Wissa was not for sale, days after the London club rejected The Garibaldis’ bid.
“There’s a lot of rumours. For me, he’s a Brentford player, and in my opinion, Wissa is not for sale,” he said during his press conference today.
The 28-year-old striker could prove a great asset as Frank looks to bag his first away victory against Palace in the Premier League. While the Bees have been impressive at home this season, their away record is less favourable. With only a 5-0 win against Southampton to date, Brentford are looking to replicate a similar intensity to when the two last met during a 2-1 victory at St Mary’s Stadium.
Only one point separates the two on the table. Brentford is slightly ahead in 11th, while Palace is hot on their tails. A victory or defeat could make all the difference to who claims that number 11 spot.
Last season, the Bees went 14 games unbeaten in London Derbies. Ahead of their clash against the Eagles, Frank is looking to showcase his team’s quality and reinstate their authority in the capital with a victory.
“We need to start another 14 games unbeaten [against Crystal Palace],” he jested. “That would be nice.”
Can the Bees bag a victory at Selhurst Park?
When asked about leaving Selhurst Park with three points, Frank offered his praises towards Palace coach Oliver Glasner but remained confident.
He said: “Glasner is doing a very good job, very structured. You know exactly what to expect from them when you face them.
“That doesn’t make it easy. It actually makes it really difficult.”
While he expects a difficult game, with reference to their previous meeting, Frank maintains that he knows what to do to break them down.
He added: “I expect a very difficult game, a very even game. Last time we managed to edge a very even game, not only on paper but in reality.
“Hopefully, we can do the same. But we need to play our A game, no doubt about that.”
Thomas Frank Praises Jean-Philippe Mateta
Currently, Mateta is the top scorer for Palace, with four goals in his last three Premier League games alone.
Frank had nothing but compliments for the striker as well as the system Glasner has set up to accommodate him.
He said: “Mateta, I really, really like him. I don’t know how many coaches he’s had at Crystal Palace, at least two.
“Maybe he just needed that coach at the right time and a system that fitted him. That number nine role with two tens under him fits him fantastic.”
New signing Michael Kayode and Brentford’s January transfer dealings
The Bees are not typically the most active Premier League club in the January transfer window. Since Frank was appointed head coach, 20-year-old right back Michael Kayode becomes only his 11th signing during the window.
On Kayode, he said: “I really like him. Really happy that we managed to sign him to give us a little bit more depth in the fullback positions. I think he is very talented, a fantastic physical package.”
Brentford’s new signing will not be making his Premier League debut during Sunday’s game as he is still waiting on his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
However, the Brentford manager views the window so far as a success.
“So far, fantastic. We’ve signed two new contracts. Keane [Keane Lewis-Potter] and Dams [Mikkel Damsgaard] in January. [Three if Aaron Hickey is included].
“Three young aged players. Three players with great potential that we need to maximise, and we’ve got another young player [Kayode] with great potential. Classic Brentford.”
Kristoffer Ajer returns, and team news
Frank confirmed that Kristoffer Ajer is fit and ready for selection in a major injury boost for Brentford.
The fullback has missed the Bees’ last six games with an ankle injury and, before that, had already missed several games this season with a similar injury sustained in October.
His return comes as a relief for Frank, whose defence has depleted these past few months with Hickey and Ethan Pinnock also ruled out.
He said: “Kristoffer is available and trained the whole week and will be involved in the squad on Sunday, so it’s very positive.”
Frank also played down rumours of a potential move to the Bundesliga for Mads Roerslev, with Wolfsburg eyeing up the defender.
“Mads Roerslev is a Brentford player, and he will most likely play on Sunday,” he added.
