Brentford best youngsters: Midfielder getting rave reviews, next Bryan Mbeumo, and Romeo Beckham

Bees focus on a smaller group of players at U21 level after closing academy
Next generation: Thomas Frank has promising talents to use at Brentford
PA
Dom Smith16 November 2023

Brentford closed their academy in 2016 to focus on a smaller group of players at under-21 level - the B team.

While they did reinstate part of their academy to incorporate an under-18s side at the beginning of last season, it is still in its infancy.

Here, Standard Sport assesses the young Bees stars for whom there are high hopes.

Yehor Yarmoliuk (midfielder, 19 years old)

The latest gem to come through the Brentford 'B' Team, he made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup in August and has come off the bench for the Bees in their last four Premier League matches.

An attacking midfielder who likes to win the ball and carry it forward, Yarmolyuk has earned rave reviews from Thomas Frank.

"I think he's done better and better over the last five or six weeks, and shown he should be part of this team," said Frank. "We have big belief in Yehor."

Yarmoliuk is earning rave reviews from Bees boss Thomas Frank
Getty Images

Michael Olakigbe (winger, 21 years old)

Arguably the most talented member of the Brentford B Team and has made six appearances for the senior side this season.

Signed from Fulham in 2022, Olakigbe models his game on Bryan Mbeumo and regularly seeks his advice.

Next generation: Beckham returned to football in 2020 and has since joined the Bees
PA

Romeo Beckham (forward, 21 years old)

Three of David Beckham's sons played for Arsenal's academy in their teens: Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz. All three were released, and that prompted Romeo to switch his attention to tennis.

But he returned to football in 2020 and, after some time at Inter Miami, started training with the Brentford 'B' Team last October and joined on a permanent deal in the summer.

His style of play has been compared to his dad.

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