HA HA! I HAD LAST LAUGH OVER ZAHA
New Bees defender Ajer draws sting from unhappy Palace danger man Wilf
BRENTFORD’S Kristoffer Ajer has taken the same Scottish route to the Premier League as Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk.
But late in the game at Selhurst Park the Norwegian centre-back celebrated more like Italy goalscorer Leonardo Bonucci in the Euro 2020 final.
And Ajer had only secured a goal kick.
As this London derby petered out to a stalemate, the former Celtic defender escorted Wilf Zaha out of play like a bouncer clearing a pub at closing time.
Ajer first wagged a finger at the frustrated Crystal Palace talisman for seeking a free-kick, then chest-bumped team-mate Sergi Canos. This match had no goals but 23-year-old summer signing Ajer was the clear winner against Zaha.
The cameo summed up why the Bees have yet to concede a goal in the Premier League and the task Patrick Vieira faces in helping Zaha to find his old form.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “I liked the last action between Sergi and Kristoffer and chest-bumped and celebrated like a goal. It was fantastic to see.
“You also need different characters. Ethan Pinnock is the mountain but very quiet as a person.
“And Kristoffer is a little bit more vocal and more extrovert and you need sometimes that to drive the team.” Brentford conceded only four goals in their final 11 Championship games last season.
But they spent £13.5million on Ajer, who won nine trophies at Celtic.
“I think it’s important to bring that winning mentality and the right characters,” said Frank. “I think we’re a team full of really, really good characters who want to leave their hearts out there. Ajer has a top character, top mentality. And he has got the ability on the ball – you could see that when he was striving forward – and I want that from my outside centre-backs.”
Van Dijk also learned the British game in two seasons at Parkhead before moves
to Southampton and Liverpool.
“I think it’s a big comparison with maybe the best centreback in the world but Kristoffer certainly has huge potential,” Frank said.
Brentford have yet to concede while Palace are yet to score.
Vieira will not follow Frank de Boer in losing his first four Premier League games – West Ham and Tottenham are next – but the Frenchman needs time for his rebuild.
And the Arsenal legend needs Christian Benteke to take chances such as the header that came his way in the second-half – and Zaha to look as if he is enjoying the game.
Zaha, set to remain at Palace at the end of another transfer window, felt he was not getting enough protection from referee Martin Atkinson and should have been booked for sarcastically applauding one decision.
“With Wilfried it’s a package,” said Vieira.
“That’s why we love him and why maybe some people don’t like him. But I love his competitiveness, he always wants to win. He will have to manage himself not to lose too much energy. But I will want him to keep that kind of desire he has on the field to compete, to win football matches.”