Mathias Jorgensen - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Seven clearances in clean sheet Zanka logged one tackle (one won), seven clearances and two interceptions in Saturday's 2-0 win versus Sheffield United.

Impact Defensively, Zanka needed to redeem himself after he was part of the center-back pairing that let in three goals during Brentford's previous game. The defender bounced back with a team-best seven clearances and multiple interceptions. Zanka has 36 clearances and 12 interceptions across his 13 appearances this season.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Scores at Aston Villa Zanka scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Aston Villa.

Impact Zanka scored in the 59th minute to cut Villa's lead to 2-1 with his first goal in the season. The centerback had a quiet outing on defense, despite conceding three times in the match. He logged his eighth start in a row.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Mathias Jorgensen pulls one back for Brentford against Aston Villa | Premier League

APRIL 6 • YOUTUBE

Continues to go the distance Zanka generated one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Wednesday's 0-0 draw versus Brighton.

Impact Zanka saw his seventh consecutive start since a five-game absence, and he played a full 90 minutes for the eighth time in that span. His shot on goal marked a first within the last seven games, while this also marked the second time in the last three outings where he failed to record even one tackle.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Makes 11 starts in 2022-23 Zanka recorded 39 clearances, 17 tackles, 16 interceptions, 12 blocked shots, five shots (one on target) and three chances created across 18 appearances (11 starts) during the 2022...

Impact Zanka recorded just eight appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, but he saw more time in the past season due to the injuries of several defenders, most notably Aaron Hickey and Kristoffer Ajer. Zanka can be a reliable depth piece on the defensive line, but he's expected to remain a bench alternative for the 2023-24 campaign, and he could even see fewer minutes if Brentford sign another defender during the upcoming transfer window.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps clean sheet in season finale Zanka made two clearances, two interceptions and won one of two tackles in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Manchester City. He also took a shot and created two chances in the match.

Impact Zanka ends the campaign with four clean sheets from 18 Premier League appearances (11 starts) in central defense for Brentford, though he's typically behind Ben Mee, Ethan Pinnock and Pontus Jansson (hamstring) in the positional depth chart. The 33-year-old extended his contract with the club earlier this month.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Extends Brentford contract Zanka has extended his contract with Brentford another two years, keeping him at the club until 2025.

Impact It's a testament to Zanka's ability to play off the bench and start when needed that he signed a two-year contract despite recently turning 33 years old. Formerly at Huddersfield Town, he's done what's been asked of him since joining Brentford, totaling 16 starts and 24 appearances the last two seasons.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes shot in start Zanka made a block, three clearances and took a shot in last week's 2-0 victory against Chelsea.

Impact Zanka made his first Premier League start since Jan. 2 in last week's win over Chelsea. He's also only made two appearances off the bench in that span as he had fallen behind Pontus Jansson (hamstring) in the center-back depth chart.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Active defensvively in win Zanka had five tackles (three won), four clearances and two interceptions in Friday's 2-0 win versus West Ham United.

Impact Zanka was one of Brentford's best players in this road win, as West Ham were constantly attacking and putting the ball forward, but the defender was often ready to clear it away. Zanka won't have an easier matchup in the upcoming game, however, with the Bees set to host Liverpool on Jan. 2.

DECEMBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Crucial late own goal Zanka scored and own goal and made one clearance in Saturday's 2-2 draw to Nottingham Forest.

Impact Zanka came on to see the match out with nine minutes to play and did just the opposite. The defender put past David Raya deep in stoppage time for what ended up being the equalizer. Zanka has seen an extremely limited rotational role and this performance will do nothing to change that.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Zanka own goal steals draw for Nottingham Forest v. Brentford | Premier League

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • YOUTUBE

Back with Brentford Zanka has signed another one-year deal with Brentford.

Impact Zanka is apparently healthy again after missing the majority of last season with an injury. That being the case, even when healthy, he'll be far down the depth chart following the addition of Ben Mee and will likely only be an emergency option for the Bees.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Done for season Zanka will be sidelined for the rest of the 2021-22 campaign due to an adductor injury. Manager Thomas Frank told reporters, "Zanka (adductor) is out for the rest of the season."

Impact Considering Zanka has made just eight appearances (six starts) for the club this season, his absence from the squad is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players. Even when the defender has played, he hasn't offered much in the way of offensive production and figures to remain a low-end fantasy option looking ahead to next year.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets minutes in friendly Zanka (hamstring) played the first 60 minutes of Monday's friendly against Rangers.

Impact Zanka is edging closer to a return and could be on the bench in upcoming matches. He remains a backup on the back line, but Brentford are thin in terms of their defensive depth and that'll definitely help what has been a struggling group.

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trending in right direction Zanka (hamstring) is still trending in the right direction to return, though he isn't quite there yet, according to manager Thomas Frank.

Impact Zanka isn't quite ready to make a full return, but he's continuing to trend the right direction as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The defender isn't likely to be a major part of the starting XI, so even when healthy he remains a largely fringe fantasy option.

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Edging closer to return Zanka (hamstring) recently returned to group training and could be an option in the coming weeks, according to manager Thomas Frank.

Impact Zanka could be an option before the month is over, but as long as everyone else is healthy on the back line, he probably won't see much time. For now, he's viewed as anywhere from the fourth or sixth center-back for Brentford, pointing to minimal playing time in the second half of the season.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still out with injury Zanka (undisclosed) does not have a timeline to return to training, according to manager Thomas Frank.

Impact It's unclear what Zanka is dealing with, but he's been out since Nov. 6 with the injury, which isn't what Brentford planned for when they brought him in. Even then, it's possible Charlie Goode is the preferred backup above Zanka, meaning upon return from injury, Zanka could be the fifth center-back option.

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined Friday Zanka (undisclosed) will not be available against Watford on Friday.

Impact Zanka has been out of action since Nov, 6 against Norwich and will miss his fifth straight contest. Given his extended layoff, the defender may have to settle for a spot on the bench once first cleared to play.

DECEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will remain out midweek Zanka (undisclosed) is being assessed weekly and isn't an option for Thursday's trip to Tottenham, according to manager Thomas Frank.

Impact Zanka has missed the last two matches and it's unclear when he'll be able to return. Charlie Goode and Mads Roerslev Rasmussen have received starts on the back line in his absence, both with varying results for Brentford.

NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doubt for Everton Zanka (undisclosed) is likely to miss Sunday's match against Everton, according to manager Thomas Frank.

Impact Zanka suffered an injury three weeks ago and there still has been a lack of updates surrounding the issue. Mads Roerslev Rasmussen started in his place last game, but the return of Mads Bech Sorensen also gives Brentford another option on the back line.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Late test against Newcastle Zanka (undisclosed) has to be assessed ahead of Saturday's trip to Newcastle, according to manager Thomas Frank. "He is training a bit going into the weekend."

Impact It's been two weeks since Zanka suffered his injury, yet according to Frank, the defender still has to be assessed. It's a relevant injury for Brentford because Charlie Goode is the next option to start on the back line and he didn't look great in limited minutes against Norwich before the break.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Exits early against Norwich Zanka was forced off in the 12th minute of Saturday's match against Norwich City because of injury.

Impact Zanka's injury only added to the problems for Brentford, who went down a goal to Norwich early Saturday. Charlie Goode came on for Zanka, as Zanka was already replacing the injured Kristoffer Ajer on the back line.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scores goal against Leicester Zanka scored a goal and created a chance in Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Leicester City. He also made an interception and won two of five tackles in the match.

Impact Zanka headed in his first goal of the season on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to earn a result for his side, which have lost two on the bounce. He will try to stop that skid next weekend against 18th-placed Burnley, which have scored just seven goals in nine Premier League matches.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Strong volume in loss Zanka made three interceptions and two tackles during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Chelsea.

Impact Zanka failed to keep a clean sheet, but did well cleaning up at the back holding Chelsea to only a single shot in the match. The defender has been a recent addition to the starting XI, but has frequently appeared off the bench. He will hope to remain in the starting XI on Sunday, against Leicester.

OCTOBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Brentford Zanka has signed a one-year deal with Brentford after leaving Fenerbahce over the summer.

Impact At 31 years old, Zanka is simply a depth addition for Brentford's back line. He last appeared in the Premier League in 2018/19 at Huddersfield and will only crack the starting XI if needed. He'll likely take the spot of Mads Bech Sorensen, who is currently out with a knee injury.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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