Liverpool is ready to take a hard look at Kevin Schade, a real speedster who has outpaced Erling Haaland and Alphonso Davies. FSG will be hoping that they have not made a mistake.
Brentford have signed Freiburg attacker Kevin Schade on a season-long loan. The Bees hope to make the acquisition permanent in the summer for an unknown amount, with Schade signing a five-year contract. The Germany Under-21 international can play a number of offensive roles and will assist Ivan Toney.
How did Brentford sign Kevin Schade?
One simple statistic explains why Brentford recruited Kevin Schade on loan and is willing to make him their club-record signing.
Brentford tried hard to conclude a transfer before the season, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a price. And Schade was suffering from a recurring abdomen ailment, complicating matters. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Brentford, but if certain performance-related conditions are satisfied. He will join permanently on a contract until 2027.
Brentford reconnected with Freiburg in November, and negotiations went rather well into December. Schade finished his physical and travelled to London on Tuesday night to finalise the paperwork. During the process, he chatted with Brentford’s German midfielder Vitaly Janelt.
The club has been interested in the Germany Under-21 international since last summer. Six Premier League teams were interested in Schade. But Brentford contacted Freiburg first and showed the greatest vision and sporting fit since their playing style complements his skills.
Additionally, Brentford have agreed to pay Freiburg €25 million (£22.1 million; $26.3 million), including add-ons. This would be the fourth time they have broken their transfer record since being promoted to the top flight. Following Kristoffer Ajer (£13.5 million), Aaron Hickey (£14 million rising to £18 million), and Keane Lewis-Potter (£16 million rising to £20 million).
What does Schade bring to the table?
The aim for Brentford is to hone Schade’s technical abilities and mix them with his explosive pace to develop a clinical attacker capable of terrorizing defences.
Last season, when playing for Freiburg versus Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga. He had a high speed of 22.6mph (36.4km/h), making him the league’s seventh-fastest player.
Brentford’s strategy is to gradually increase Schade’s fitness and strength before integrating him into the starting XI. As we’ve seen with Lewis-Potter and Mikkel Damsgaard, new players may need time to acclimatise to Thomas Frank’s demands and style of play.
Last season’s 5-1 setback to Borussia Dortmund is a good indication of what Schade will bring to Brentford. Under pressure from Thomas Meunier, he takes up the ball along the touchline.
He spins away from Meunier with ease, prompting Manuel Akanji to approach him.
The attacker breezes past Akanji, and Dortmund’s defence is quickly ripped apart.
Schade may not score frequently, but the quality of his goals is excellent. Schade is also capable of shooting with both feet, making him unpredictable and tough to mark.
Frank feels Schade may grow “to be a true danger as an attacking option with his mind” in addition to his speed.
During the discussions, Schade requested that Brentford equip him with a header pendulum so that he may improve on his heading and stability when jumping and landing on a continuous basis.
