Why Teams Should Be Looking At Wissa And Not Mbeumo?

Brentford. A team that typically operated in the lower leagues of English football. In the Premier League – sticks out like a sore thumb compared to its giants. However, in the modern day, the Bees are not that, but a valuable piece of the top-flight – one that competes and challenges each year.

One of the division's constant underdogs and overachievers, Thomas Frank led Brentford to an impressive 10th-place finish in the 2024/25 season, with nine points separating them from European-qualified Nottingham Forest.

As a team, Brentford are a real unit. But their star power and x-factor comes in the frontline – in the duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. With 20 goals scored in the Premier League, Mbeumo is the Bees’ top talent, gaining most of the plaudits.

Nevertheless, his compatriot is also a fantastic player, but why should teams be looking at the DR Congo international in the summer, and maybe not Mbeumo?

Wissa vs Mbeumo - Compared

Mbeumo 🔗 Wissa pic.twitter.com/NoMhSlSbRx

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) May 18, 2025

A duo or two pees in a pond – if you like. You cannot say Bryan Mbeumo without saying Yoane Wissa, and during the 2024/25 Premier League season, the Bees duo showed why they might be the best partnership in the top flight.

The second top-scoring duo in the Premier League, Mbeumo and Wissa combined to score 39 goals this season as Brentford narrowly missed out on European qualification. Within their goal-scoring form, Brentford’s Batman and Robin also scored in the same match on seven occasions. In most aspects, Mbeumo and Wissa are similar players – working together to strengthen and cover each other’s weaknesses.

However, as Mbeumo is typically a wing option, Wissa differs in his role as a central striker. As a player, the 28-year-old is also much more aggressive compared to the Cameroonian, in terms of shooting. Per 90, Wissa averages 2.77 shots, 0.57 xG, and 5.13 touches in the opposition’s box.

📈 Most non-penalty goals in the #PL (2024/25):

19⚽️: 💥WISSA💥, Salah (9*), Haaland (2*), Isak (4*)
17⚽️: Wood (3*)
15⚽️: Cunha
14⚽️: Mbeumo (5*), Watkins (2*)

* goals from penalties#BrentfordFC @BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/8WT5nxMzUb

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 19, 2025

Compared to his teammate, the former Lorient-man can be described as the team’s poacher, finding himself inside the opposition's box and heavily completing his work inside of it. But what also gives Wissa the edge over Mbeumo is the striker's versatility in finishing. Out of his 19 goals, 10 were scored with his preferred right foot, six goals scored with his left, and four with his head.

A threatening goal-scorer from every angle, Wissa offers a perfect option for teams looking to sign a striker, able to score double digits in goals next season, but what makes Wissa such an impressive player, is also his abilities other than scoring.

Not Your Typical 'Nine' - Dropping Deep

Within his role at Brentford, Wissa is very much given freedom – the ability to roam. Joining the club in 2021 from Lorient, the forward was not an out-and-out ‘nine’ and that is truly reflected in his playstyle.

When looking towards the heat-up of the 28-year-old, Wissa often initially picks up space within the area of the centre circle – dropping deeper and further into the Brentford half to be involved in build-up play. Wissa won’t necessarily stand on the last defender of the opposition, but he will drag them out and make space for his wide-men.

Yoane Wissa dropping deep to overload United’s front pressing line has been an issue over the 1st half, even led to the 2nd goal.

Shaw & Amass pinned back so unable to follow, front 3 with double marking responsibilities

5-2-3 oop exploited. pic.twitter.com/ozftjUhiX9

— Fathalli (@FathalliMo) May 4, 2025

However, to combat that – as a striker, Wissa needs to be in the box for the Bees and ready to pounce. This means that, when part of the build of play, the striker needs to rely upon his pace and dart in the box. While he might be not as quick as Mbeumo, the second fastest player in the Premier League, Wissa finds his way into the danger area – making the sixth most sprints in the English top-flight last season (284).

He might be a systematic player and will not fit into the systems of all teams as an un-stereotypical striker, but the uniqueness of Wissa is also what makes him such a phenomenal player. An able passer, dribbler, and smaller but agile physical specimen – Brentford’s bagman would be a superb signing for any side in the Premier League.

Who Should Come In For The Striker?

But with Mbeumo reportedly ‘likely’ to leave, according to club-captain Christian Norgaard – a move for Wissa might be difficult as Brentford will not want to lose both of their star strikers.

However, after the season that he has had, teams are bound to come in for the 28-year-old.

The UEFA Conference League awaits in 2025/26. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/F6VQ2iOIud

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 25, 2025

Firstly, a side that look towards the 28-year-old is Nottingham Forest – previously linked with the attacker in January and now having secured European football for next season, the City Ground could be a valuable addition for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Chris Wood had an outstanding season for the Reds, but at the age of 33, Forest may look towards a younger alternative or a rotational option to use alongside Wood, and Wissa could be the perfect option for that.

Brighton & Hove Albion could be another option for the Bee, with the Albion potentially anticipating the departure of Joao Pedro in the summer window.

Brighton have had three players score 10+ league goals in a top-flight season for the first time in their history.

◉ Joao Pedro
◉ Danny Welbeck
◉ Kaoru Mitoma

The Seagulls are firing on all cylinders. pic.twitter.com/JqqZu1OFSr

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 19, 2025

With their top goal-scorer having netted 10 times, goals could be an asset that Fabian Hurzeler's side want to add in the summer – Danny Welbeck also being 34 years old. As a versatile forward, Wissa could be a perfect fit for Brighton as an interchangeable striker that can move around alongside their wingers.

Moving to a top club in Europe is the final option for the DR Congo international, but it will be an incredibly interesting window for Wissa as teams begin to sniff around Brentford and should not overlook him due to the talent of Mbeumo.