The Brentford No.1 is finally fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premier League (Picture: Getty)

David Raya remembers the exact words from Thomas Frank which helped his career as Brentford goalkeeper to turn a corner.

It was around about this time last year and the Bees had recently seen their hopes of promotion to the Premier League ended by defeat to west London rivals Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley, their Spaniard caught way off his line by Joe Bryan’s speculative long-range strike for the opening goal in extra-time.

Raya was accused of being too far from his goal but received words of reassurance from Brentford’s Danish boss afterwards.

‘He said to me, “Next year I want you even higher”,’ recalls Raya.

‘And after we won the play-off final this year, he said, “See, it works”. He has helped me a lot.’

After being an ever-present in 2019-20, Raya played 42 of 46 league matches last term as the Bees got it right at Wembley second time around, comfortably beating Swansea 2-0 in May to spark wild celebrations at their first taste of the Premier League.

The former Blackburn man is firmly established as the top-flight new boys’ No.1 and boss Frank’s loyalty to his shot-stopper has been repaid.