While chatting with Brentford Under-18s striker Jai Nwosu, the 16-year-old was quick to establish that he is a top three FIFA player in the young Bees squad.
Playing FIFA, Rocket League and Fall Guys with his team-mates provides a relaxed outlet for Nwosu to enjoy life away from the pitch, but he explained that it also helps the squad build chemistry with each other away from the club.
As a first-year scholar enjoying full-time football at Jersey Road for the first time and having received a recent call-up to England's Under-17s squad for four international friendlies, Nwosu understands the importance of furthering those relationships off the pitch to help build chemistry on the pitch.
“When everyone’s at home it’s something we can all do to connect and further build that bond we all have together,” he said.
“Gaming is one of those things where it doesn’t require a lot of energy. In FIFA in the under-18s squad, I’d definitely say I’m top three, alongside Micaiah [Fanoiki] and Layton [Nicholls].
“Football’s very tough mentally and physically, you think about it every day. Having something to take your mind off it is important as well.”
While still a young player trying to build his career, Nwosu has a steady head on his shoulders as he navigates the ups and downs of football life.
The 2026/27 season to date has included multiple highs, including his England call-up this international break. He started in the Three Lions' opening 5-1 win over Republic of Ireland, before coming on as a substitute in the second half of the group's 2-1 victory against Israel.
The striker scored his first international goal in a 1-0 win over Venezuela, the squad then rounding out their time abroad with a 3-2 loss to Germany.
A former member of Chelsea Academy from the age of nine, the striker was released at under-14s level, the first major hurdle in his career.
“I definitely leant on my family, my dad supported me a lot through it because obviously it was quite a sad time,” explained Nwosu.
“At the end of the day, you know what you’re worth at the same time. You know that if you perform in the trials and you do well, then a team can pick you up just like Brentford did.
“At the end of the day, you know what you’re worth at the same time. You know that if you perform in the trials and you do well, then a team can pick you up just like Brentford did”
“Some people after they get released say, ‘I don’t want to play football anymore’, but that definitely wasn’t the case for me.
“Dad just said to never stop fighting and that when you do go on trial, treat every training session like it’s a match, take it as seriously as possible because one bad day, one slip up, can cost you a spot at a club.”
Nwosu has gone from strength to strength since joining Brentford, featuring prominently for the U18s last season while still a member of the U16s.
This included starting in the FA Youth Cup against Chelsea at Wheatsheaf Park.
“Playing against your old team is a very bittersweet moment, you want to show yourself, you want to show why they shouldn’t have released you,” said Nwosu.
“I was very nervous on the day. It was a shock, I only found out on the day that I was starting, so it was quite a lot to process.
“When you’re in and around a team who’s up for it, you get that same feeling too to give it your best on the pitch.”
He went on to score 18 goals and registered five assists, form that has carried into this season as a first-year scholar.
Nwosu is up to four goals and two assists already this term, including a hat-trick against West Ham.
He has also featured numerous times for the B team and U21s, making his debut against Hull City in the Premier League Cup, before his first start followed against Everton in Premier League 2.
“Last year was tough because everyone was bigger and stronger than me. But now when you’re in the gym every day, working and training, you get stronger,” he said.
“I feel like last year’s prepared me for Category One this year, the tougher games feel a bit easier now, I don’t get as nervous which is good.
“As a no.9, you’re going to get a lot of chances and if you do miss one that you should’ve scored, you can’t let it affect you too much because the next chance will come so quick.
“In the first half of the West Ham game, I had a chance that I should’ve scored. At half-time I composed myself and said, ‘It’s gone now so there’s nothing you can do, just go again’, and luckily I scored two more, which was good.”
Brentford U18s are next in action on Saturday at Jersey Road against Manchester City (11.30am kick-off BST), while Brentford B return to PL Cup action against Derby County on Saturday at Wheatsheaf Park (1pm kick-off BST).
Tickets for the Derby clash are available here.