Gradi Milenge knows that he has to take responsibility for his development as he moves from being an Under-18 to an Under-21.
The powerful central-defender signed a one-year development squad deal last month after a successful two-year scholarship with the Youth Team.
Now that he is a first-year professional rather than a scholar Gradi said that he has to take more responsibility for his own development.
“It is all on me and I am willing to do whatever I can to be the best that I can be,” said Gradi speaking to Bees Player. “I get more time at the training ground that I did as a scholar. As an Under-21 I am freer and I have a lot of time between sessions to recover in the best way for me. The first sessions have been extremely hard. I am sure by the end of pre-season I am going to be as fit as I have ever been.”
Gradi said he can’t wait to get started with the coaching team of Lee Carsley and Kevin O’Connor with the Development Squad.
The 18-year-old feels that the Academy coaching staff have shown a lot of belief in him with the new contract and it is up to him to repay that faith.
“I am happy to be offered another year with Brentford,” said Gradi. “I have been here for a while now and I think I have progressed well as a player. This is another chance for me to push on and develop even more. The coaching staff said that I was a great player to work with and they know that I enjoy working with them.
“They do believe in me and they think that I can push on. It is an honour to work with Kevin O’Connor and Lee Carsley. They are experienced and they know what they are talking about. You can trust them and I am glad to be working with them.”
Gradi played 11 matches for the Development Squad last season playing up as an Under-18 and said he is looking forward to testing himself again this season.
The defender feels that experience will stand him in good stead for the new season and bring the best out of him.
“I feel more comfortable playing Under-21s football now,” said Gradi. “I feel that I know everyone and everyone knows me. As a younger player I felt under pressure because, even though nobody did it, people could talk down to me. I am older and I have more confidence so it is easier psychologically.
“I am looking forward to the league once more. Last year I played against a few good players from the Championship and I enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed the challenge last year and I am looking forward to the challenge again this year because they are the sort of games where you show what you are about and show if you are a good player or not. I want to show that I am a good player.”