Tottenham see long-term appeal in Brentford and Brighton strategy

The Spurs chairman is believed to be probing betting experts in a bid to match the successful data-driven patterns of Brighton and Brentford, two clubs with nothing to do with Spurs’ budget who could both finish higher in the league. painting.

Brighton certainly will, having already secured Europa League football for the next term, and with their highly watchable football, coach named Manager of the Year and a buying and selling model that has accounts not only balanced but overflowing, the Seagulls have become the envy of the Premier League.

Given their historic size and stature, Brentford really should still be the envy of the Championship, but in their second Premier League campaign, the Bees head into the final day with yet another away chance to join the Premier League side. Roberto De Zerbi in Europe. .

They need snookers: they have to hope Aston Villa drop points at Brighton; for Tottenham to do the same in desperate Leeds; and even then beat champions Manchester City themselves.

That they’ve done it once already this season – the only side to win at the Etihad all year – is another notable feather in the hat, and with the game sandwiched between title celebrations and two cup finals that will define Pep Guardiola’s legacy, City would have to be no bankers to take three points on a ground where only Arsenal and Newcastle have managed the feat this season.

Brentford’s win at City typified the Bees’ approach to punching several classes above their weight. Thomas Frank molded hugely gifted individuals into a pragmatic side happy to do it both ways – delicate or direct – with a tactical flexibility that goes beyond just the Dane’s floating between a back-four and a back-five, before-three and before-two.

There’s pace, power and ingenuity from set pieces too, all led by a 20-goal striker and secured by a goalkeeper set to play for a ‘big six’ club next season .

It’s Brentford’s recruitment model that has reportedly sparked Levy’s interest the most, after several windows of wasteful spending at Spurs, but Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban and David Raya’s likely exit will be the big deal. last test this summer.

Notoriously a sell-and-reinvest team in the Championship, Brentford avoided the temptation to cash in on one of their stars 12 months ago, Christian Eriksen, out of contract, the only major departure, but the Vultures are starting to go around in circles and in this sense, Toney’s ban may even prove to be a small blessing.

Brentford’s transfer activity since promotion hasn’t been an unqualified success (record signing Keane Lewis-Potter has, for example, yet to have an impact), but is part of the entrenched strategy by owner Matthew Benham, and indeed his former boss turned rival punter Tony Bloom at Brighton, involves living with market risks and, if possible, minimizing them (e.g. signing Ben Mee, a proven Premier defender League, with no money at all).

A fair word of warning, however. The Brighton-Brentford model doesn’t always offer instant gratification, the kind a club might be looking for, say, chasing an immediate Champions League comeback. The goal, after all, is to identify potential before it becomes obvious and talent can take time to mature: look at Mathias Jensen, a formidable footballer who frustrated for years with his inconsistency before filling the gap. empty of Eriksen, or Bryan Mbeumo, who has all the tools but is for now still too raw a finisher to replace Toney over an eight-month period.

Starting with a role model is one thing, but Brentford and Brighton are reaping the rewards of their commitment.