Mbeumo’s Breakout Season
Bryan Mbeumo’s stellar 2024/25 Premier League campaign, where he scored 20 goals and provided 7 assists for Brentford, has made him a transfer target for Manchester United, who recently bid £55m. The 25-year-old Cameroonian forward, speaking to BBC Sport Africa before Brentford’s final game, attributed his improvement to off-field support, including personal trainers, physiotherapists, and a home chef. “Every little thing helps,” he said, emphasizing his drive to “be the best player possible.” Only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland outscored him, while his consistency—missing fewer minutes than most outfield players—helped Brentford secure a top-half finish.
Partnership with Wissa
Despite Ivan Toney’s departure to Al-Hilal and injuries to Igor Thiago, Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa (19 league goals) formed a lethal strike duo. Off the pitch, their friendship, rooted in shared Franco-African heritage, has been key. Mbeumo, who calls himself an “electrical player” prone to anger, credits Wissa’s calming influence. “He helps me stay cool,” he said. The pair, who live near each other, share dinners and extra training to “create links,” enabling instinctive play. Mbeumo mentored Wissa when he joined from Lorient in 2021, mirroring support he received from former Brentford players.
Fantasy Football Fame
Mbeumo’s form made him the second-highest points scorer in the Premier League’s Fantasy Football (FPL), behind Salah, with Wissa ranking eighth. Nearly half of 11 million FPL managers owned him by season’s end, a fact he finds “crazy” and amusing. “When we don’t score, they’re so angry,” he laughed, noting fans and Brentford staff often ask for FPL tips. While he doesn’t play FPL himself, Mbeumo enjoys the banter, confidently telling staff, “I’ll score, don’t worry.”
What’s Next?
Mbeumo, with one year left on his Brentford contract (extendable by 12 months), faces a pivotal summer as United prepare a higher bid and Newcastle show interest. He and Wissa will miss Christmas fixtures for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, representing Cameroon and DR Congo. Mbeumo’s ambition—“I never put limits on myself”—and work ethic suggest he’ll continue improving, whether at Brentford or elsewhere. His performances, lauded on X by @BrentfordFC, have cemented his status as a Premier League star, with a potential move looming before the June 10 Club World Cup deadline.
