Brentford striker Neal Maupay has made a startling confession about his ongoing battle in front of goal, revealing the psychological toll of his extended Premier League scoring drought that has stretched to a staggering 13 months.
The French forward, who returned to the Bees last summer, hasn't found the net in England's top flight since his strike against Aston Villa in October 2023. This painful dry spell has seen him go 26 consecutive Premier League appearances without scoring.
The Mental Battle of a Goal-Shy Striker
"When you're a striker and you're not scoring, it's tough mentally," Maupay admitted with refreshing honesty. "You start thinking about it too much, you start forcing things, and that's when it becomes even harder."
The 27-year-old's struggles have been particularly painful given his previous success in a Brentford shirt during his first spell between 2017 and 2019, where he netted 37 Championship goals before moves to Brighton and Everton.
Thomas Frank's Unwavering Support
Despite the barren run, manager Thomas Frank has continued to show faith in his striker, regularly including him in matchday squads and offering public support. The Danish tactician has emphasised Maupay's contribution to the team beyond just goals, praising his work rate and link-up play.
However, with Brentford's Premier League status becoming increasingly precarious as the season progresses, the need for goals has never been more urgent. The Bees have struggled for consistency, making Maupay's potential return to form potentially season-defining.
A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Struggle
While Premier League goals have eluded him, Maupay did find the net in the FA Cup against Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, offering a brief respite from his league troubles. That moment provided a glimpse of the quality that prompted Brentford to bring him back to west London.
"Scoring that goal against Wolves felt good," Maupay recalled. "It reminded me what it feels like and gave me that confidence boost I needed. Now I need to translate that to the Premier League."
As Brentford prepare for their crucial run-in, all eyes will be on whether Maupay can break his hoodoo and start delivering the goals that could secure the club's top-flight status for another season.
