Sepp van den Berg
BRE
CB
Controlled Centre Back
Dec 20, 2001 (24)
Right
6'4"
163 lb
BrentfordHoping for return after break
van den Berg is back in training and making good progress after his groin injury, according to coach Keith Andrews, who hopes to have him back after the international break. "Sepp is making really good progress. He's been back on the grass for the last week or 10 days, so he's getting there. He's in a good place to come back after the international break. That's realistic."
Analysis: van den Berg has established himself as a reliable presence in Brentford's back line, making his groin issue, which had already been expected to sideline him for the opening weeks of the season following a disjointed preseason, a sizable blow for the defense. His return to training now offers a clearer target for his comeback following the international break, with Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins continuing to start at center back in the meantime.
Won't feature in opening weeks
van den Berg is dealing with a groin injury and will miss the opening weeks of the 2026/27 season, according to manager Keith Andrews. "Sepp has a groin issue. We've had to manage that in a certain way. He needs a little bit more rest, unfortunately for Sepp. "He's had a disjointed pre-season - it hasn't flowed as well as we'd have liked - so we're going to have to look after him in the short term. He'll miss the first few weeks of the season."
Analysis: The Dutchman has established himself as a reliable presence at the back for the Bees, so his absence is a sizable blow for the defensive line. While there's no timetable for a return to action, it wouldn't be surprising to see van den Berg sidelined past the September international break, which means he could be in line to return against Aston Villa on Oct. 10. In the meantime, Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins should start at center-back, while Ethan Pinnock and summer signing Jannik Schuster should provide coverage.
Set to miss three months
van den Berg (undisclosed) is reportedly set to miss three months with an injury, according to Uzzi Majid of Richmond and Twickenham Times.
Analysis: van den Berg has been an established figure in Brentford's defense since arriving from Liverpool in 2024, eventually settling into a central role alongside Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins after initially covering both full back spots. His injury is a blow for manager Keith Andrews heading into the 2026/27 Premier League season given his importance to the back line, though the club has options to cope in his absence, including new signing Jannik Schuster, who arrived this summer from RB Salzburg with Europa League experience.
Provides assist late
van den Berg assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
Analysis: van den Berg came off the bench in the 82nd minute and got a vital touch at the near post in the 88th, flicking on Michael Kayode's long throw to set up Dango Ouattara's headed equalizer that salvaged a point for Brentford. His sharp movement and timing in that near-post pocket were the crucial spark in the late sequence that ultimately denied Crystal Palace all three points. After not starting in the Bees' last two matches, Van den Berg made his case loud and clear as an impact option who can swing games off the bench.
Season high tackles in clean sheet
van den Berg had two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-0 victory versus West Ham United.
Analysis: Van den Berg led his side in both interceptions with two and tackles with a season high three in a strong defensive showing, contributing to his eighth clean sheet with the club. He also registered two shots to bring his season tally to 22, yet is still without a league goal.
Two blocks in clean sheet
van den Berg registered one tackle (zero won) and three clearances in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Fulham.
Analysis: Van den Berg led his side in blocks with two, while also adding one tackle and three clearances to help secure his second clean sheet in the last three matches. Across that stretch, the center back has been a consistent defensive presence, contributing 15 tackles and seven clearances.
Registers six interceptions
van den Berg recorded two shots (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Brighton.
Analysis: Van den Berg delivered a solid defensive performance despite conceding twice in Saturday's loss to Brighton, recording five clearances, one block and a season-high six interceptions. The defender has now started four straight matches, totaling eight interceptions, 17 clearances, four blocks and a rare assist during that span.
Provides rare assist
van den Berg had an assist with his lone chance created while making two interceptions and five clearances during Thursday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Analysis: van den Berg set up Keane Lewis-Potter in the 71st minute assisting the game tying goal while leading Brentford in interceptions. The assist was the first goal involvement this season for the defender as he's combined for two chances created and 12 clearances over his last three appearances.
Makes bench Thursday
Van den Berg is on the bench for Thursday's game against Tottenham.
Analysis: The defender missed the win over Bournemouth on Dec. 27, and although he's back available, he'll wait for an opportunity off the bench. Nathan Collins and Kristoffer Ajer will start once again as the center-back pairing in Brentford's 4-3-3 approach.
Set for assessment
Van den Berg (undisclosed) is set for assessment ahead of Thursday's match against Tottenham, according to manager Kieth Andrews. "We're still a couple of days out so we'll see how everyone is tomorrow and make decisions about the team."
Analysis: Va den Berg missed out on Saturday's outing due to a knock and is now set for assessment, with that to decide if the defender can play or not. That was his first absence all season, so this is something to monitor, potentially without a regular starter in another game. If this were the case, Nathan Collins and Kristoffer Ajer would start again in the center of the defense.
Not playing Saturday
Van den Berg is not in the squad for Saturday's game against Bournemouth.
Analysis: The defender didn't even make the squad for this clash, but it's unclear whether he'll miss extended time due to this undisclosed problem. His next chance to play will come against Tottenham on Jan. 1, 2026. The absence of van den Berg means Kristoffer Ajer will start at center-back next to Nathan Collins.
Confirms role from last year
van den Berg played every possible minute in the seven Premier League games this season, confirming his undisputed starting role for his second year with Brentford.
Analysis: van den Berg contributed three tackles, four interceptions and 45 clearances in his first seven appearances in the Premier League this season, confirming his undisputed starting role for his second season with the Bees. The change of coach over the summer and the arrival of Keith Andrews didn't impact his minutes at all, as the center-back will remain a key piece in defense alongside Nathan Collins.
Major role again
van den Berg has played the full 90 in Brentford's first three competitive matches.
Analysis: van den Berg has established himself as a key part of the Brentford XI, going the full 90 in each of the first three competitive matches. The defender was a big part of the defense during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. van den Berg offers plenty of volume defensively and is a crucial part of the starting XI as long as he remains fit.
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