Miguel Angel Brau: We Watched Him So You Don't Have To

Despite now occurring over a month ago, Sunderland's 122nd minute winner against Coventry City remains a fair reason for fans of the Sky Blues to be taking a break from football. Yet those putting on brave faces and pretending it never happened may have noticed that the club has made their first signing of the summer: a free transfer and a four-year deal for Granada left-back Miguel Ángel Brau.

So, who is the Spanish youngster and why has Frank Lampard chosen him as a potential suitor for his left-back slot?

The season stats for Miguel Ángel Brau last season for Granada.

Miguel will join the Sky Blues from July 1st on a four-year deal subject to international clearance and a work visa.#PUSB pic.twitter.com/uMST8NvhCF

— BBC Sport Coventry & Warwickshire (@BBCCWRSport) June 20, 2025

Who Is City's New Man?

Now 23-years-old, Brau joined Granada's youth setup back in 2019. He comes to some extent from footballing pedigree: his father, who goes by the same name, played for six Spanish clubs as a midfielder between 1992 and 2007, including a brief stint with Atletico Madrid's B-side.

Brau the younger made his debut for Los Nazaries B-side aged 18 back in 2020 before being loaned out to CF Talavera in 2022. He made 31 appearances for Talavera in the Spanish third division, scoring twice. The team finished last and were relegated but Brau returned to Granada B having played meaningful first-team minutes at a young age.

It wasn't until last season that Brau could be considered to have had a 'breakout' season. The Spaniard featured 26 times in La Liga 2 averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions and 2.6 ball recoveries per 90. In addition to this, he averaged 54.5 touches per game - a relatively high figure from left-back.

His contributions - which also included two league goals - helped Granada push for a La Liga 2 playoff place, ultimately missing out on the final day of the season.

Brau's La Liga 2 heatmap for 2024/25. Image from Sofascore.

As shown by the heatmap above, Brau is more than happy to push forward, eager to receive the ball as wide as possible and with a particular proclivity for a cross. It is this that likely reveals how Lampard wants to use him: a traditional overlapping full-back confident in possession but also happy defending one on one.

To get more information about Brau and his talents, Football Park enlisted the help of our resident professional scout, formely of the English Football League:

In 26 games wherein he scored 2 goals, I can see that he has a strong physical advantage as a left back. Left backs are generally around 5'8 in height, but he is 6' and uses that power well when defending.

He is comfortable in 1v1 situations, whether he is on the attack or defending. There's more to be excited about regarding his attacking side; he is always joining the attack with quick, direct overlaps. He has a good eye for a cross, and is adept with both that area or switching the play comfortably. His technical side is quite strong, and that enables him to play with confidence on the ball. With even better players, particularly midfielders, around him, Brau can be even better for Coventry City.

With Jay Dasilva becoming Lampard's primary left-back option towards the end of the season - particularly after his stellar performance in the second-leg of the playoff - City's new Spaniard will likely be allowed some time to settle into a new team, new country, and new style of play rather than being thrown in the deep end.

Miguel Angel Brau 🇪🇸
Granada#PUSB

Coventry City’s new left-back. pic.twitter.com/m7luKnwQrg

— Fevs Football Analytics (@FevsFootball) June 19, 2025

Having said that, should Brau hit the ground running, there is little doubt he has the profile and skillset to succeed in the Championship.

In Safe Hands

It might sound risky or ridiculous to say that a youngster from the Spanish second division currently valued at £1 million on Transfermarkt is set to succeed at the top end of the Championship, but Coventry's recruitment track record alone is indicative of Brau being a clever acquisition. In addition to this, the Sky Blues have established a reputation of quickly improving players - particularly youngsters and loanees.

Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen, Manchester City's Callum Doyle and Brighton's Yasin Ayari have all spent time with Coventry in recent years, while the £1 million loan-to-buy deal City made for Viktor Gyokeres has become one of the bargains of the decade.

Essentially, both recent history and Brau's physically strong, confident profile mean that he is poised to reach new heights under Lampard. Could it be that in a year's time, we're talking about how this free transfer proved the difference between misery and glory in the playoffs? Only time can tell.