Brentford head coach tells the Hounslow Herald that the club has “high hopes” for 18-year-old Romelle Donovan, but admitted the young winger must remain patient as he continues his development and waits for first-team opportunities.
As I settled into the press box at the Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday for Brentford U21s’ contest with QPR U21, a team sheet was handed my way — and a few names instantly jumped off the page.
The Professional Development League allows clubs to field up to three outfield players over 23, an opportunity Brentford made full use of. Reiss Nelson (25) and Vitaly Janelt (27) both started as they worked back toward full fitness, while Gustavo Nunes, eligible at 19, took a spot on the bench as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Scanning the line-up, my eyes dropped to Brentford’s No.10 — Romelle Donovan. I’d heard the buzz, seen the clips, but this was my first chance to see what the fuss was about.
And he delivered. From my seat on the right flank, I had the perfect view as Donovan hugged the touchline, demanded the ball, and tormented QPR’s defence with dazzling footwork and fearless runs. Half an hour in, he cut inside onto his left and curled a stunning strike beyond the keeper.
He didn’t stop there, setting up two more goals as Brentford cruised to a 4-0 win. When he was subbed off with 15 minutes to go, the 2,000-strong crowd rose to applaud the game’s standout performer.
Watching him, it was hard not to think he was far too good for this level. And given Brentford’s £3m summer move to sign him from Birmingham — a deal made with first-team intentions — few would disagree.
Donovan made his Birmingham debut under Wayne Rooney at 16, touted as one of their brightest prospects alongside the Bellingham brothers. After a brief, underwhelming loan spell at Burton Albion, his switch to Brentford B at the start of 2025 proved fruitful, delivering 11 goals and 10 assists in 15 games, which convinced the Bees to sign Donovan on a five-year deal.
At the time, the London Evening Standard reported that the starlet would be fully part of Brentford’s first-team setup, with no plans to return to the B team. Director Phil Giles claimed he had “earned his place in our first-team squad for next season.”
But this hasn’t materialised. In reality, Donovan has not featured in a single matchday squad for Keith Andrews, as he continues to play exclusively for the academy side.
To understand why, I asked Andrews about Donovan’s progress at Friday’s press conference ahead of Brentford’s trip to West Ham on Monday, and whether we can expect to see him gain first-team minutes any time soon.
“Romelle’s training really, really well,” Andrews said. “I think the frustration for some of the younger players has been that the squad is actually a good size at the moment. In recent weeks, we’ve had to leave out some Anton (Milambo) for instance. It’s been tough to get into the squad.”
The Irishman went on to explain that Donovan, along with all the young players, receives the necessary guidance to succeed at Brentford. He added: “(They) just need to have that perseverance to keep doing it, even when they get frustrated when, for instance, they’re not involved in the first team, or they’re not in the squad.
“Romelle is someone we have high hopes for,” Andrews finished.
Donovan’s time in the first team feels inevitable, but clearly, he’ll need to be patient. There’s also a feeling that the 18-year-old is still incredibly raw and needs to hone certain aspects of his game.
After Tuesday’s game, Brentford B head coach Sam Saunders alluded to “predictability” and “consistency” being two elements in particular.
“I love Rom,” Saunders said. “He’s a player that people want to watch. He gets bums off seats.”
He continued: “Our job as coaches is to make sure he’s not as predictable to come inside all the time and to develop his right side as well, so he can go both ways and he can do that with the crossing aspects.
“We’re just trying to develop that so he can do it with finishing on the right side as well. He’s very coachable. He’s very likeable.”