Brentford boss Thomas Frank declares readiness to face Chelsea’s “huge challenge”, reacts to Arsenal, Man United speculation

Thomas Frank says his side are ready for a “huge challenge” as they take on European champions Chelsea in a scarcely contested west London derby Saturday evening.

While Chelsea head to the Brentford Community Stadium as League leaders, the Bees are also riding high, currently seventh, having mixed it with the big guns by beating Arsenal and drawing with Liverpool already this season, but Frank is under no illusions as to the scale of the task against Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Frank said: “[On the day] we won our promotion in the play-off final, they won the Champions League!.

“I think that’s a very good picture of the difference between the two clubs. To face the European champions and the No1 in the Premier League, it is a huge challenge.

“The derby is a big thing, definitely, but it’s just as much that Chelsea is a massive club. That’s important, and because we haven’t faced Chelsea that much in recent years, it’s not the same as Fulham or QPR. That’s my take on it — maybe the fans see it differently.”

In an interview with a Danish publication during the international break, the 47-year-old was forced to deny speculation linking him with the Arsenal and Manchester United jobs and ahead of the anniversary reiterated his commitment to the club he has led into a new era of Premier League football at a state-of-the-art new home.

“I’m at a club I’m extremely privileged to be at and I’m happy when I go to my job every single day,” he said, via Evening Standard.

“We are in a very positive development and there are still things we can improve to reach our full potential.

“I can’t see any reason why any of our players should want to leave or why I should leave. We’re in a fantastically well-run club with still a lot of things to reach out for, so life is good.”