Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka described his latest campaign as "hectic" after featuring in a staggering 44 matches across club and country. The Nigeria international played 37 times for Brentford during the 2024–25 and added seven appearances for the Super Eagles, including fixtures in Ghana, Jamaica, and the Russia friendly on 6 June 2025.
Onyeka traced the relentless pace of his year from concluding the Bundesliga campaign through successive international fixtures to trips that took him from England to Africa and Europe. "Imagine after the season we went to Russia to play a game… we played games, and then we travelled to Russia. It's hectic," he admitted. This grueling schedule, he explained, has taken its toll mentally and physically—and meant less time with his family.
Despite the exhaustion, Onyeka is determined to turn the page. Linked with a summer move to Valencia, he remains focused on impressing Brentford’s new boss, Keith Andrews, during preseason ahead of a training camp in Portugal.
Editorial
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We stand with Frank Onyeka in recognising the sacrifices that underpin a modern footballer’s life. Playing 44 high-pressure matche
We can empathise with his plight. Balancing club commitments with national duties, especially mid-summer tours like the friendly in Russia, creates a constantly shifting calendar. The strain—physical, emotional, social builds quietly, yet profoundly. Onyeka’s candid reflection shines a light on challenges fans seldom consider.bet9ja.com
We appreciate his resilience and look forward to a summer reset. A move to Valencia would offer fresh horizons, but remaining at Brentford under a new coach could be equally valuable. What matters most is that Onyeka takes the time to recharge, refocus, and rekindle the energy that made him indispensable to both Brentford and Nigeria.
We believe this period of transition be it on the pitch or off is crucial. And if Onyeka emerges from this with renewed vigour, he’ll remind us why sustaining greatness in football is more than talent—it’s endurance, balance, and intent.
Did You Know?
[Onyeka featured](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/news/interviews/benjamin-boldly-backs-flying-eagles-ahead-of-morocco-clash/) in 82 minutes of Nigeria’s Unity [Cup opener](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/category/match-previews-and-reviews/) against Ghana before playing full games against Jamaica and Russia.
He is a product of FC Ebedei, a Nigerian academy renowned for producing European-based talents.
Modern Premier League and Bundesliga teams increasingly use fitness-tracking watches to monitor player load during summer breaks.
Onyeka has been linked with Valencia ahead of the new season, though no official bid has emerged.
Brentford’s 2025–26 preseason includes a training camp in Portugal, designed to [recalibrate players](https://mediawiki.weopensoft.com/index.php/Utilisateur:ShavonneRowan67) after a busy season.