HOW IS IGOR THIAGO THRIVING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
- Mik Van Well
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Igor Thiago proved himself as a goalscorer in Bulgaria and Belgium, which earned him a 29 million pound transfer to Brentford in the summer of 2024 (transfermarkt.com). His first season in England was an injury disaster. He missed a total of 37 games in all competitions due to injury and played only 168 minutes in the Premier League. Still, he started the 25/26 season as Brentford’s first-choice striker, after Yoanne Wissa forced his departure.
Many of the strikers that have moved to the Premier League recently have struggled, but Thiago has thrived this season. He has already scored 17 goals in 25 games, only behind Erling Haaland - a goal-scoring mark never achieved before by a Brazilian in the Premier League. Below is an in-depth analysis on his qualities and how he is able to excel in the toughest league in the world.
Igor Thiago's Physical frame
Firstly, Thiago has a very tall and strong physical frame, but is still relatively light on his feet. This profile translates well to the Premier League and Brentford’s play style specifically.
His height allows him to contribute offensively and defensively during set pieces, which is more valuable than ever. There has been a 30% increase in set piece goals this season according to Sky Sports. However, compared to other tall strikers, like Woltemade and Ekitike, Thiago also possesses the raw strength to win duels against robust central defenders a quality heavily demanded, as teams face efficient pressing systems.
At the start of the season, Opta Analyst calculated that the proportion of long balls from goal kicks has risen for the first time since 2016/17.
Thiago’s tall, but mobile frame allows him to:
1. Defend crosses
2. Press with High Intensity
In various games this season, Brentford committed to a man-to-man press early, requiring Thiago to consistently make these runs with high intensity.
Igor Thiago's Link Up Play
His physical frame also allows him to contribute in link-up play. He is very active in receiving progressive passes with his back to goal, shielding off his defender, and then playing one- or two-touch passes to close teammates.
1. Receiving long balls from goal kicks
2. Creating short triangles with his midfield
His ball control is decent, which allows him to link play on the ground.
And his height and strength help him win aerial duels.
However, Thiago’s link-up ability is best displayed when the quick and dynamic Kevin Schade is playing close to him. He consistently holds up the ball, allowing the
German winger to run into open space.
One of Thiago’s weaknesses is linking up play when he is required to turn upon receiving the ball, especially when he has the opportunity to play progressive passes. In the situation below, he receives the ball and has Schade next to him, but is unable to make a quick turn and stay composed. He ends up taking four full seconds to decide what to do and eventually turns the ball over with a poor pass, back to the same side of the box.
Igor Thiago's Goal Scoring Ability
The utilization of Thiago as a target man during the build-up phase also plays into one of his weapons to get into dangerous positions. After he has linked up play and set up direct attacks, opposing centre backs need to sprint back immediately to provide cover for their full backs. Thiago however, is able to delay his forward run and position himself behind the defenders, within their blind side. This forces defenders to either lose sight of the ball or Thiago.
Below, Everton’s defenders are busy watching the ball and tracking Brentford’s left winger, allowing Thiago to find space for a shot.
In the previous example, he stayed behind the defenders, which made the scoring chance more difficult, as he shot from just inside the box. To get into more dangerous positions, Thiago moves into the blind side first, away from the ball. Once his teammate is in position to play a cross, he times his runs to arrive in front of the defender just in time.
When there is enough space behind his direct opponent, he uses this same methodology - moving away from the ball to position himself in the defender’s blind spot - but is able to receive high crosses over the top of the defenders, who lose sight of him.
If defenders decide to keep their eyes on Thiago rather than the ball, the outcome is often the same. The Brazilian forward has the ability to watch the ball and angle his body towards goal, whilst defenders are guessing where the ball is going to arrive exactly.
Preceding the goal below, which he scored against Manchester United earlier this season, Thiago combines many of the qualities described before.
a. He receives a long ball with his back to goal
b. He plays a one-touch pass to Schade
c. He delays his run, moving into the defenders’ blind side
d. Whilst both central defenders lost him, he scores an easy rebound
These delayed runs create the majority of Thiago’s shots from within his favorite zone: inside the penalty area, but outside the six-yard box. The table below reveals that 74% of his xG has come from shots within that zone.
The data also reveals another one of Thiago’s qualities. He has accumulated very similar numbers in terms of shots, xG, and goals scored with his ‘stronger’ right foot and his ‘weaker’ left foot.
This makes him a versatile goal threat, especially because he also finished well with his head. Besides, he rarely attempts low-value shots from long distances. Only Danny Welbeck ranks above him in xG/shot among players with more than five shots this season (Opta Analyst).
Igor Thiago on Offensive Set Pieces
As a data-driven organization, Brentford were one of the early adaptors of extensive set piece routines. They often utilize throw-ins to get their aerial threats into the box and throw the ball towards them over large distances.
However, Thiago has been most dangerous when he can apply the same strategy he uses to receive open-play crosses. Below, he starts centrally, seemingly positioned to contest the long throw. However, he then moves away from the ball, into the defender’s blind side, and is presented with a big chance from close range.
He applies this same strategy to create shots for himself from corners.
Igor Thiago's Half Space Runs
Thiago’s unique combination of strength and mobility also create offensive opportunities. He is not only able to receive long balls and cross effectively, he is also a threat as a runner in behind the defensive line.
He often makes runs into the half-space, precisely in between two defenders, to create space for shots from wide angles, like below.
The higher the opponent’s defensive line, the more dangerous Thiago’s runs become. Below, he attempts one of these runs, but doesn’t receive the ball immediately. Two seconds later, the opportunity arises again, this time with success.
The two examples above have led to less dangerous, wide-angled shots. Below, he makes a similar run, but starts from just inside the opponent’s half, creating a 1v1 with the goalkeeper. He shows great composure, simply going around the goalkeeper to score a tap-in.
He showed similar composure when going head-to-head with the goalkeeper against Everton, to complete his hat-trick.
Besides, these half-space runs have not only allowed him to create dangerous chances for himself. Although his chance creation ability is limited in terms of forward passes, he has shown good vision, playing horizontal passes after receiving the ball within the half-spaces.
Above, Thiago’s pass is not converted by his team mate, who takes too much time to move the ball to his stronger foot. The exact same thing happens below, when Schade fails to convert a very big chance created by Thiago.
Conclusion
Igor Thiago’s impact at Brentford is no fluke: his blend of physical dominance, intelligent movement, and valuable shot selection has made him one of the Premier League’s most efficient strikers this season. If he continues to sharpen the Brazilian goal-scoring record in the league, a call-up to the Brazilian national team for the upcoming World Cup may well be the next step in his rapid rise.
