Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka signed for newly promoted Premier League club Brentford last summer from Midtjylland, and he is on course to complete an excellent opening season in the top-flight of English football.
Onyeka has been a regular in Thomas Frank’s team in West London this season. He has proved to be a reliable figure and a player who is helping them retain their Premier League status for at least another year.
Brentford are now 5/1 in the football odds from Betfair for a top half finish in the 2021/22 campaign, something which would be a great accomplishment should they achieve it. Their form in the second half of the season has been particularly strong, with their 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the highlight of their results.
Through March and April, Brentford lost just one of their seven matches. The Bees, with Onyeka in the heart of their midfield, are likely to be one of the betting tips for today’s matches in the Premier League given their form has been so solid.
Onyeka Set to Keep On improving
When he moved to Brentford last summer, Onyeka had made 123 appearances for Midtjylland in Danish football, so he was not short of senior football. However, the step up in class from the Danish League to the Premier League is a steep one, but it’s one the midfielder has successfully made.
Onyeka is just 24 years old which means his best football is likely to still be ahead of him. With a season behind him, he could improve again in the 2022/23 campaign, especially under Frank, a manager who is known for developing his players.
Brentford are not fortunate to have a budget as big as the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool in the league, however, every player in their squad has a clear role. Onyeka’s number one job is to protect his side’s back line, and that’s a job he has done well.
As well as developing into a crucial player for Brentford, Onyeka is now an important midfielder for his national team. The Super Eagles just felt short of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, as Ghana progressed past them on away goals after their two-legged contest finished 1-1.
Onyeka has played seven times for his country so far. His debut came back in October 2020 in a 1-0 defeat to Algeria in a friendly. Since then, he has regularly been called up into the senior national team squad.
With the likes of Onyeka, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho all at their peak, the Nigerian Football Federation will be hopeful the country can achieve some success on the pitch. Their next major aim will be to qualify for the 2026 World Cup which is set to take place in USA, Canada and Mexico.
Onyeka will look back on the last 12 months and is likely to see it as a catalyst in his career. The next step will be to try to establish himself as one of the players in Europe in his position.
