EXCLUSIVE: Midfield engine Yarmolyuk on Rice comparisons and Brentford's push for Europe

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/yarmolyuk-yegor/8noY4nKo/"]Yarmolyuk[/a] joined [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brentford/xYe7DwID/"]Brentford[/a] from Dnipro-1 in 2022 and made his way through the (now defunct) reserves team. He broke into the first team under Thomas Frank and has become almost indispensable in this campaign under Keith Andrews.[/p][p]It's no surprise then that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/soccer-premier-league-exclusive-man-utd-targeting-brentford-s-yarmoliuk-as-part-of-midfield-rebuild/Gv7wi3cJ/"]clubs like Manchester United have shown interest in him[/a], as Flashscore reported earlier in the season.[/p][p][b]"My role in the team has changed a lot. I've been playing a lot this season. It was a pleasure to work with Thomas (Frank), and now I'm really enjoying working with Keith (Andrews). Both of them are top coaches,"[/b] Yarmolyuk tells [i][b]Flashscore[/b][/i] in a short interview.[/p][p]Yarmolyuk has continued to grow alongside two long-time leaders. He plays in a midfield duo with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jensen-mathias/Aijf2AQ6/"]Mathias Jensen[/a], who has been a mainstay since Brentford's Championship days, or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/henderson-jordan/UFMlUD6r/"]Jordan Henderson[/a], an experienced England international who previously captained [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool FC[/a].[/p][p][b]"They're good, experienced teammates. It’s great to have them in the team and learn from each other," [/b]he says.[/p][image alt="Yarmolyuk's statistics this season" id="3868c5c1-4c18-4917-96a3-1bc7dcd94e5a" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="e0706522-21cc-4287-913b-bd1392d3c993" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b]The young Ukrainian midfielder is currently the best in the Premier League in multiple physical metrics. [/b][/p][p]With 11.47 km per 90 minutes, he leads the league in distance covered. He's also top in High Speed Distance Covered as the only player with more than 1,000 metres per 90 minutes in this category. What's more, he leads the league in High Intensity Runs per 90 minutes with 91.33.[/p][p][b]"It’s great to achieve something like this. I’m just enjoying playing football and helping the team get results from game to game,"[/b] he says.[/p][p]When asked about a player who inspires him, he mentions one of the drivers of Arsenal's title charge. [b]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rice-declan/zkQ8Cm6n/"]Declan Rice[/a] is a good example for me. He can do everything on the pitch, so it’s nice to learn from him,"[/b] Yarmolyuk tells Flashscore.[/p][p]It should come as no surprise that Rice is second right behind the Ukrainian in terms of High Intensity Runs and High Speed Distance Covered.[/p][p]The tireless Brentford midfielder is also among the best in the league in interceptions and ball recoveries.[/p][image alt="Brentford are flying high in England" id="bed51bb9-736f-49db-bc72-4039ba7c346a" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="87d0f62e-a792-4db1-b317-ae90e9683442" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Now, his work rate will be appreciated more than ever as Brentford sit seventh, just two points shy of European qualification, with crucial games against Crystal Palace in Liverpool coming.[/p][p][b]"It’s good that we can fight for Europe, and we will do our best to achieve something. It has already been a good season for the club, and the dream of Europe is still alive. We’re going to leave everything on the pitch in the final two games,"[/b] Yarmolyuk promises the Brentford fans.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brentford-xYe7DwID/crystal-palace-AovF1Mia/?mid=MF2Xj8on"]Follow Brentford's next match with Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]