​Hot on the heels of former Bournemouth teammate Jaidon Anthony’s arrival, Ivan Wilson is set to give Brentford head coach Keith Andrews another proven attacking option, while also supplying genuine competition and support for no.9 Igor Thiago ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Wilson’s return of seven Premier League goals last season tells only part of the story. He made 21 starts and 11 appearances as a substitute in 32 league outings for a West Ham side that ultimately slipped down to the Championship, yet managed to average a goal every 177 minutes. Among English players who scored at least twice in the Premier League, only Brighton’s Danny Welbeck (174 minutes per goal) boasted a better strike rate than Wilson, underscoring his efficiency in front of goal.
At 34, Wilson is nearing the century mark for Premier League goals, and his underlying numbers reinforce that he remains one of the division’s most efficient forwards and a genuine game-changer. No player finished last season with more Premier League goals as a substitute than the former Coventry City and Newcastle United forward, whose four off the bench even surpassed Brentford’s entire squad total (three). Late goals became something of a hallmark for Brentford under Andrews in his first season in charge, with more than a third of the Bees’ Premier League goals arriving after the 75th minute. Wilson was just as capable of delivering decisive late moments, contributing four stoppage-time goals—the most by any player in the Premier League during the 2025/26 campaign—surpassing even Erling Haaland, who won the Golden Boot, and Thiago in this dramatic category.
Wilson’s prowess in stoppage-time goals highlights another avenue where he could prove particularly valuable for Brentford. Five of his seven Premier League strikes last season came from set-piece situations, the most of any forward in the division, a trait Andrews will be keen to maximize by harnessing Wilson’s movement, anticipation, and penalty-box instincts during dead-ball scenarios. Only Casemiro of Manchester United (eight) and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool (six) registered more set-piece goals than Wilson, underscoring his rare ability to convert chances from corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins.
While Thiago’s blend of power, movement, and finishing secured his place as one of the Premier League’s standout strikers last season, Wilson offered a different—yet highly complementary—skill set. His experience, intelligence, and knack for decisive goals should grant Andrews greater attacking versatility, whether Wilson starts games or serves as a specialist finisher off the bench. Wilson’s arrival bolsters Brentford’s forward options by expanding the tactical toolkit available to the manager, providing another reliable scorer and a trusted contributor in high-leverage moments.
In the broader context of Brentford’s ahead-of-season plans, Wilson’s proven track record as a scorer and clutch performer brings immediate value to the club’s attacking dynamics. His adaptability allows him to partner with Thiago in various formations or operate as a late-game finisher against resistant defenses, while his experience at the highest level offers leadership and guidance for younger forwards within the squad. With Wilson’s arrival, Brentford are well-positioned to maintain momentum in the 2026/27 season, delivering goals and creating pressure on opposing backlines in pursuit of sustained Premier League success.