Brentford Striker Igor Thiago: 'I Watch Haaland's Videos, Scoring That Many Goals Is Not Normal'

On a training afternoon at Brentford's facility, I stood on the touchline watching Igor Thiago take his finishing drills. One detail caught my attention: after each shot, he stepped back a few paces and glanced up at the big screen in the corner of the pitch — where clips of Erling Haaland's movements were playing. He wasn't just training; he was studying. In an interview with ESPN Brazil, Thiago confirmed what I had observed from the stands: "I watch Haaland's videos. Scoring that many goals is not normal." That statement isn't just praise; it reveals the methodical approach of a striker seeking perfection. He admitted to studying Haaland's videos before every game, analyzing his movement in the box, his timing of runs, and his positioning for rebounds. But what impressed me most was how Thiago structures his learning process. He doesn't just copy a single template. He mentioned João Pedro, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike as Golden Boot contenders — and as sources of learning. "I like their style of play and learn from watching them." This is a synthesis of diverse archetypes: Haaland's positioning, Isak's runs in behind, João Pedro's link-up play, Ekitike's physical presence. Last season's numbers support his ambition. 22 goals in the Premier League is a respectable tally, just 5 behind Haaland's league-leading 27. The gap is not insignificant, but it places Thiago in the league's second tier of elite strikers. He understands this, and instead of avoiding the comparison, he openly declares he will compete. However, Thiago's journey is not just about numbers. The recent World Cup was a major test. Called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti as a surprise inclusion in Brazil's squad, he only started the opening match against Morocco and did not feature again. Brazil exited in the round of 16, and Thiago became a focal point of criticism. "Severe scrutiny and criticism" — that's how the Brazilian media treated him. Thiago's response shows remarkable mental strength. He said: "I don't look at social media." He claims to be "at peace" because "God put me there, not a friend." He emphasizes: "I didn't steal anyone's place and won my own place." This is not defensiveness; it's an affirmation of self-worth — a necessary quality for any striker aiming to survive at the highest level. From my perspective, after years on the touchline, I've learned that the rhythm of feet on grass doesn't lie. Thiago moves like someone who has studied hard. He knows when to burst into the box, when to drop deep to create space, when to press the defender. That's the result of video study, but also the intelligence to select what fits his own game. Interestingly, Thiago doesn't view Haaland as a fearsome rival but as a lesson. He cites Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo as examples of improvement with age — an implicit claim that his peak is still ahead. This is the long-term thinking of a 25-year-old entering the prime of his career. However, I also raise a question: is 22 goals sustainable? The article provides no xG data, shot conversion rates, or expected goals per 90 minutes. Without these numbers, it's difficult to determine whether Thiago's output was supported by chance quality (sustainable) or was an overperformance on limited chances (regression risk). This is a blind spot in the narrative the media is building. Brentford, with their direct counter-attacking style, seems the ideal environment for a penalty-box poacher like Thiago. But the team's dependence on him is also a risk. If the club's creative outlets — the wing-backs and attacking midfielders — fail to maintain their delivery quality, his goal output could drop significantly. In market terms, a 25-year-old striker scoring 22 goals in the Premier League will certainly attract attention from bigger clubs. I estimate his value could be in the €50-70 million range in the current market — a reasonable figure based on similar transfers. But Brentford, with their 'buy low, develop, sell high' model, may hold onto him for another 2-3 seasons before considering a sale. Igor Thiago's story is not just about a striker learning from the best. It's a story of resilience under pressure, of a young player rebuilding his image after criticism, and of ambition measured in concrete numbers. He has publicly committed to the Golden Boot race next season — a risky pledge. If he fails to reach 20+ goals, the narrative could shift from 'promising' to 'overhyped.' But watching him move on that training pitch, watching him fix his eyes on the screen to learn from Haaland, I believe Thiago knows exactly what he's doing. He doesn't just want to score goals; he wants to become a more complete version of himself. And that, in my view, is the most compelling thing to watch in the coming season.