Brentford and Michael Olise: When Transfer Market Madness Celebrates Those With a Plan

Busan, a small seaside cafe, I open the Premier League table after matchday 2 and pause at a familiar name: Brentford. 3rd in goal difference (+3), 2nd in xG differential (+3.5). A club that didn't spend recklessly, without expensive stars, standing above giants who spent over £200 million in a single summer. Perhaps, in a world where clubs bid against themselves, sanity is the rarest luxury.

The context of the 2026-27 season is strange. The recent transfer window saw Premier League clubs spend over €4 billion combined – a figure I don't hesitate to call the most out-of-control in history. Eight clubs spent at least €220 million, six more at least €124 million. Manchester City paid €280 million for Enzo Fernández and Elliot Anderson. Tottenham spent €295 million on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Sávio. Aston Villa paid €138 million for Morgan Rogers. Brighton spent €75.9 million on Carlos Baleba. Chelsea paid €52.5 million for Liam Delap. These numbers don't just reflect madness; they reveal a disease: clubs bidding against themselves, paying inflated prices for Premier League-experienced players out of fear.

But amid that spending storm, one club barely moved. Brentford only lost Jordan Henderson – the veteran midfielder – to Chelsea, and brought in Mamadou Sangare from Lens. They kept their core, kept their philosophy, and after two matchdays, they lead the xG differential table. I've watched football for over 40 years, and I can say: in an environment where everyone is panicking, the calmest club is usually the one that wins in the end.

Look at how Brentford operate. They beat Tottenham 3-0, beat Birmingham 6-1, and were only held 1-1 by Leeds through a late Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal. But the important thing isn't the results; it's the process. An xG differential of +3.5 after two games shows they create quality chances consistently. This isn't the luck of a small club. This is the product of a system built over years, with a clear identity and a long-term plan.

And then there's Michael Olise. Last season, he scored 25 goals and provided 28 assists. At the World Cup, he had 7 assists in just 8 matches. I've written about him since his Reading days, and I've never seen a player read the game at that level. This season, he continues to show ruthlessness in front of goal. I dare to say: some stars only burn brightest where they are loved, not where the lights are brightest. Olise is where he belongs.

Of course, I could be wrong. I can always be wrong. This is only matchday 2, and predicting based on two games is a risky game. Last year, I was right 50% of the time on my bold predictions – a rate I consider pretty fantastic for bold swings. But I also wrote 'Cancel the season' during the pandemic and had to delete it because I was wrong. Football always teaches me humility.

But look at the bigger picture. After this crazy transfer window, only about five teams actually improved. The rest spent money to hold position, or worse, to please fans. Meanwhile, Brentford stands there, with a stable squad, a clear identity, and a position in the Champions League race. They finished 9th last season, but with this stability, I believe they can compete for a top-4 spot.

Their next seven league matches include visits to Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. This is the decisive period. If Brentford maintains this form into October, we can no longer call it a lucky start. This will be a statement.

I write against the wind, but my heart is never against football. In a world where clubs spend over €4 billion without a plan, Brentford is proof that patience and identity still matter. And Olise, with his talent, could be the one to break every rule about what a player needs to win the Ballon d'Or.

Remember this name. Remember this club. And remember that, in football as in life, those with a plan are usually the ones who win in the end. I don't write to be agreed with. I write to awaken a sleeping question: are we overvaluing the power of money, and undervaluing the power of a good plan?