Dango Ouattara, Brentford’s record signing, has made an impressive start to his Premier League career, crediting former club forwards Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo as significant inspirations. The Burkina Faso international joined the Bees for £42 million from Bournemouth in August, stepping into a formidable attacking line-up shortly after the high-profile departures of Mbeumo to Manchester United and Wissa to Newcastle United.

Ouattara, who has quickly become a pivotal figure for Brentford, openly acknowledges the impact of his predecessors. He specifically highlighted a valuable interaction with Congolese international Wissa, who offered insights into the club’s supportive environment. Ouattara noted, “I had the chance to get to know him a little, which is a plus. He told me it was a club where the staff were very close to the players. Now, I can see that for myself.”

The transfers of Wissa and Mbeumo represented a significant shift for Brentford, yet the club has maintained its competitive edge. Wissa, 29, concluded his tenure at the Gtech Community Stadium with an impressive 19 Premier League goals and four assists last season before his £50 million move to Newcastle. Mbeumo, a Cameroon international, departed for Old Trafford in July for £65 million after netting 20 goals and providing seven assists in his final season with the Bees.

Despite the substantial talent drain, Ouattara sees the former Brentford stars as a universal source of motivation. “Whether you are African or not, they are a source of inspiration,” Ouattara stated, singling out Wissa’s non-penalty goal tally. “Wissa managed to score nearly 20 goals without a penalty last season. That is an inspiration for all attackers.”

The departures of key players coincided with a managerial change, as long-serving coach Thomas Frank left for Tottenham, replaced by Keith Andrews. Many pundits predicted a challenging period for Andrews in his debut coaching role with a seemingly weakened squad. However, Ouattara has lauded the former Republic of Ireland international’s leadership, praising his attentive approach.

Ouattara expressed his appreciation for Andrews’ personal engagement, particularly during his initial integration into the club. “He is someone who is really attentive. That means a lot to me. Even when I arrived, before I even played, he was there for me. That is something I really appreciated. Whether it’s the coach or the entire team, they are close to the players. For me, it’s a good club for a player.”

On the pitch, Ouattara has significantly contributed to Brentford’s attack this season. While Manchester City’s Erling Haaland leads the Premier League in goals, Brentford’s Brazilian striker Igor Thiago has scored 11, and Ouattara has played a crucial role with three goals and earning four penalties – more than any other player in the division. This collective effort has seen Brentford maintain a comfortable mid-table position.

Looking ahead, Ouattara is preparing for his third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearance with Burkina Faso. He aims for a more substantial impact after an injury limited him to just one start during his country’s journey to the last 16 in the 2023 tournament. His previous AFCON experience includes reaching the quarter-finals in 2021, where he scored the winning goal against Tunisia before a late red card ruled him out of the semi-final against eventual winners Senegal.

Ouattara also highlighted the collective strength and diverse experience within the Burkina Faso squad. “There are players who have been here much longer than me, who have played in more Africa Cup of Nations and have more experience,” the 23-year-old explained. “Some are playing their first Africa Cup of Nations, others their second. Everyone has a role to play.”

Burkina Faso’s captain, Sunderland striker Bertrand Traoré, is a key figure with nearly 100 international caps. Ouattara describes Traoré as a calm and thoughtful leader. “If he has something to tell you, he will tell you. If there is something you can correct, he will try to help you correct it. He is someone quiet. He speaks when he has something positive to contribute. If it is not necessary to speak, he does not.”

As the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 approaches, Ouattara and Burkina Faso are set to face Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca. The tournament could potentially see Ouattara come face-to-face with former Brentford teammate Bryan Mbeumo if Burkina Faso and Cameroon progress to the knockout stages, while Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka might also represent Nigeria deeper in the competition.

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Keywords: Dango Ouattara, Brentford FC, Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo, Africa Cup of Nations, CAN 2025, Premier League transfers, Burkina Faso football