Brentford will be hoping to steer clear of the dreaded second season syndrome ahead of the new Premier League season.
Following the arrival of the influential Christian Eriksen in January, a seemingly inspired Bees finished comfortably clear of the relegation zone in their first season in the top-flight.
But with the 30-year-old Danish playmaker opting to join Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United over extending his stay with the west Londoners, Thomas Frank’s side will have to manage without the midfield maestro.
The Bees travel to face Leicester City for their 2022-23 Premier League opener and HITC Sport takes a look at how they could line-up against Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes.
Brentford XI for opening day vs Leicester
Despite signing Thomas Strakosha, formerly of Lazio, on a free transfer, the Albanian international will likely start the campaign as David Raya’s backup although he will provide stern competition for the Spaniard.
Strakosha made over 200 appearances for Biancocelesti and won four trophies during his time in the Eternal City. The 27-year-old hasn’t moved to the Brentford Community Stadium to sit on the bench and he’ll fancy his chances of dethroning Raya as Frank’s number one, but he may have to wait patiently to seize his opportunity.
With Rico Henry likely to retain the left-back spot, £17m summer signing Aaron Hickey could make his Premier League bow against the Foxes at right-back, and come up against Harvey Barnes.
The four-time Scotland international established himself as a regular in Bologna’s starting line-up last season and he scored five goals from 36 Serie A matches.
The 20-year-old, who started his career with Celtic before moving to Hearts, was one of the most sough after full-backs across Europe.
Bees captain Pontus Jansson could have a new centre-back alongside him next season with Ben Mee potentially ousting Ethan Pinnock.
Brentford signed the former Burnley captain following the expiry of his contract at Turf Moor. The former Manchester City youngster will add leadership, experience and depth to Frank’s backline.
Danish duo Mathias Jensen and Christian Norgaard could be Frank’s go to midfield combination but the Scandinavian pair won’t have their swashbuckling compatriot Eriksen next to them.
However, while Frank has admitted that it’ll be “impossible” for Brentford to replace their former number 21, the club looks to have identified Eriksen’s countrymen Mikkel Damsgaard as the man to bring some creativity and goals to west London.
Following Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in Denmark’s opening match of last summer’s European Championships, the 22-year-old came into the starting line-up and scored two goals and provided one assist en-route to his nation’s run to the semi-finals.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Brentford are hoping to sign Damsgaard from Serie A side Sampdoria. Since moving to Italy, the 16-time Denmark international has scored two goals and laid on four assists from 49 matches for the Blucerchiati. He missed 27 games last season due to a thigh injury.
With eight goals and seven assists to his name across all competitions last season, Frenchman Bryan Mbeumo will be looking to build on his lethal partnership with Ivan Toney.
Another new signing that could form part of the Brentford XI vs Leicester is Keane Lewis-Potter.
After signing the England Under-21 international in deal worth up to £20m from Hull City, Frank may unleash the Hull-born youngster who scored 25 goals across the last two Championship seasons.
Toney will probably lead the line and after netting 12 goals in his maiden Premier League campaign and the 26-year-old will be hoping to kick off 22-23 with a bang.
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