Nathan Collins Steps Up as Brentford’s New Captain Amid Big Summer Shake-Up
So, big changes are happening at Brentford this summer—and right in the thick of it all is Nathan Collins, who’s just been named the new club captain. It’s a significant moment for the 24-year-old defender, especially considering the leadership role he’s stepping into after Christian Nørgaard’s move to Arsenal. That’s a tough act to follow, but Collins seems more than ready for the challenge.
Now, this isn't just about handing over an armband. The entire club is going through a major transition. Nørgaard and last season’s top scorer, Bryan Mbeumo, have both left—Mbeumo heading to Manchester United—and long-time manager Thomas Frank has taken the helm at Tottenham. His replacement? Keith Andrews, who’s known Collins since his youth days with Ireland. So there’s a strong relationship there already, and it sounds like Collins is buying into Andrews’ vision for the team.
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Collins actually marked his captaincy with a bang—scoring a powerful header in a pre-season win over QPR. Not a bad way to start your reign as skipper. And for Collins, the appointment is more than just symbolic. He talked about how captaining a Premier League team has always been a dream. What’s more, he’s not entirely new to the responsibility—he’s already led Stoke City and even captained Ireland in Seamus Coleman’s absence. So the leadership credentials are there.
Andrews, for his part, spoke highly of Collins, saying he's always been a natural leader. He mentioned Collins’ maturity, his high standards, and the respect he commands from teammates and staff alike. But the coach also made it clear that leadership won’t fall on just one person—there’s a group of experienced players who’ll help steer the ship alongside Collins.
Of course, there's still some uncertainty swirling around the squad. Yoane Wissa, who was the second top scorer last season, has attracted outside interest and even missed the recent friendly. Collins commented on the situation with level-headed calm—basically saying if Wissa stays, that’s great, and if not, the team will adapt and move on.
As for his own future, Collins has been linked with a potential move to Spurs, possibly reuniting with Thomas Frank. But he shut that talk down quickly, saying his focus is firmly on Brentford. One more friendly against Nottingham Forest, and then the season kicks off.
In the end, Collins isn’t just stepping into a vacant role—he’s stepping into a moment of change and challenge. And from everything he’s said and shown so far, it sounds like Brentford might be in very good hands.
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