David Raya predicts more Premier League scalps for Brentford after Arsenal upset

David Raya remembers the exact words from Thomas Frank which helped his career as Brentford goalkeeper to turn a corner.

It was around about this time last year and the Bees had recently seen their hopes of promotion to the Premier League ended by defeat to west London rivals Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley, their Spaniard caught way off his line by Joe Bryan’s speculative long-range strike for the opening goal in extra-time.

Raya was accused of being too far from his goal but received words of reassurance from Brentford’s Danish boss afterwards.

‘He said to me, “Next year I want you even higher”,’ recalls Raya.

‘And after we won the play-off final this year, he said, “See, it works”. He has helped me a lot.’

After being an ever-present in 2019-20, Raya played 42 of 46 league matches last term as the Bees got it right at Wembley second time around, comfortably beating Swansea 2-0 in May to spark wild celebrations at their first taste of the Premier League.

The former Blackburn man is firmly established as the top-flight new boys’ No.1 and boss Frank’s loyalty to his shot-stopper has been repaid.

Raya is a key component of the style of play his coach prefers and attempted almost 300 more passes than any other Championship keeper last season.

After 16 clean sheets in the club’s run to Wembley glory, he now gets to fulfil his dream after seven years in this country — and began with another shut-out in the win over Arsenal last week.

‘Personally, I have been working for this ever since I came to England,’ he told Metro. ‘The chance to play in the Premier League, collectively, is massive for the club, especially after losing to Fulham the year before in the play-offs.

‘To have 13 days off (between seasons) and come back and have the season we had and get promotion shows the character of the team.

‘During the summer, it didn’t hit me really but you see things like the Premier League signs around the place and then you begin to realise we are Premier League players now.’

It was that hit from Fulham left-back Bryan which threatened to leave Raya a tormented soul.

The Cottagers may have gone up but they came straight back down. Raya holidayed and slowly got over his misery, certain that a second chance would not be passed up.

It wasn’t, the play-offs saw a fine comeback win over Bournemouth before beating Swansea in front of some Bees supporters at Wembley.

‘It was hard to take (losing to Fulham) but at those times it is important to have friends and family close,’ he said. ‘I went to Croatia on holiday to get over it. Everything happens for a reason and it felt like second time around we knew what we had to do in the play-offs.

‘We played the three games really well, aside from the first ten minutes at home to Bournemouth, and showed across the season we were capable of getting promoted.’

Frank’s men may be among the favourites to go straight back down but their all-action, attacking brand of football will certainly add something to the Premier League and they have already shown they will not be fazed by some of the big boys’ reputations.

They opened with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 over Arsenal and will feel they have nothing to fear from another London derby tomorrow at a Crystal Palace side well beaten at Chelsea on the opening day, before travelling to Aston Villa next weekend.

Raya is certain Brentford will not abandon their principles at a higher level, having established themselves as a positive footballing side.

‘We’ll play our way,’ he added. ‘We know we can play and beat good teams. Every league is tough, It was tough in the Championship and it will be tough in the Premier League — we just have to be ourselves.’

The 25-year-old is renowned as a vocal keeper as well as one who is adept with the ball at his feet, which he attributes to his football education on the streets of Barcelona.

‘My role when we’re not on the ball is to get everybody switched on. I can’t let anyone switch off and we don’t like to let the other team create a chance, let alone score a goal,’ he explains.

‘Even a chance can boost their confidence. The manager wanted me to be positive, aggressive and be the type of goalkeeper who plays out from the back instead of being reactive.

‘I have to anticipate and prevent chances as well as make saves. I like to be involved in our build-up. Growing up in Spain, that’s the way we played.’

This summer, and a proper break between campaigns, has at least given Raya the opportunity to see his nearest and dearest, having been separated from them during the pandemic, unable to return to Spain amid strict coronavirus restrictions.

The ex-Southport loanee adds: ‘This summer, I just wanted to focus on seeing my friends and family as it had been hard after 18 months. I’m used to seeing my mum and dad and spending time with friends and family every month or month-and-a-half in normal times.’

Raya is not under any illusions as to just how tough this taste of the big time is set to be for the team, for whom it will be a first full campaign with fans, Covid permitting, at their Brentford Community Stadium.

His ambitions this season? Simple. ‘Finish as high as possible,’ he insists. ‘To play against the best in the world is a dream come true and I’m ready to test myself there. For me, the Premier League is the best league in the world.’

Start high, aim even higher. Just the way Thomas Frank likes it.

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