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Sky Sports: Brentford in contract talks with forward amid transfer interest

· Yahoo Sports

Sky Sports: Brentford in contract talks with forward amid transfer interest

Kevin Schade contract talks intensify as Arsenal and Liverpool monitor Brentford star

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Brentford have opened initial contract talks with Kevin Schade as the forward continues to attract attention from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

According to Sky Sports, the Bees are keen to secure Schade’s future after an impressive opening to the campaign, with Arsenal and Liverpool understood to be among the clubs monitoring his situation.

Brentford move to protect Schade’s future

Schade has made a significant impact during Brentford’s unbeaten opening to the Premier League season, scoring three times across the club’s first five matches. Those results have left Brentford fourth in the table, following home victories over Tottenham and Chelsea alongside three draws.

The 24 year old’s development has been particularly encouraging for supporters and manager Keith Andrews, with his performances adding another dimension to Brentford’s attacking options.

Sky Sports reports that Brentford have held “initial talks” with Schade over a new long term agreement, with the club keen to reward his progress through improved terms.

That situation is understandable given the forward’s existing contract, which has two years remaining. Schade joined Brentford from SC Freiburg for £20m in June 2023, and his development since then has helped transform his profile both domestically and internationally.

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Arsenal and Liverpool interest raises stakes

Schade has been monitored by leading Premier League clubs for some time. Chelsea and Tottenham have previously been linked with the Germany international, while Arsenal and Liverpool are believed to have shown the strongest interest as the summer transfer window approached its conclusion.

For Brentford, the timing of these talks is significant. Schade’s performances have increased his value, while his emergence as a Germany international provides another reason for the club to establish his long term position within the squad.

His three goals this season have taken his Brentford tally to 25 goals in 119 appearances, alongside nine assists.

Germany breakthrough strengthens Schade profile

Schade’s progress has extended beyond club football. His development at Brentford has helped him break into the Germany squad, and he started Jurgen Klopp’s first match in charge against the Netherlands.

That international involvement adds another layer to his growing reputation. Regular football under Andrews, continued Premier League exposure and involvement with Germany could all contribute to further interest from clubs with substantial transfer resources.

For Brentford, the priority will be keeping Schade focused on his football while attempting to reach an agreement that reflects his current importance.

Brentford face important decision

The reported contract talks represent a sensible step for Brentford as they seek to protect one of their most valuable attacking players.

Schade’s current trajectory makes his situation one to watch closely. His goals, international recognition and performances against established Premier League opposition have combined to generate genuine interest.

Sky Sports’ report provides an important indication of Brentford’s intentions. The club appear determined to establish Schade’s future before outside interest develops further, and supporters will hope that leads to an agreement that keeps the forward at the Gtech Community Stadium for the long term.

Our View

From a Brentford supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the sort of contract story you want to see emerging after such an encouraging start to the season.

Schade has always possessed the physical qualities and attacking ability to become an important player for Brentford, and his current form suggests he is beginning to put those attributes together consistently. Three goals in the opening five league matches provides tangible evidence of his influence.

For supporters, the most exciting aspect is the possibility of Schade continuing to develop under Keith Andrews. If Brentford can maintain their strong league position and Schade remains central to the team, there is every reason to believe his importance will continue to grow.

The reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool naturally creates concern because those clubs operate at a different level financially and competitively. From a Brentford perspective, securing improved terms would provide greater certainty and recognise Schade’s contribution.

His Germany breakthrough is another huge positive. Starting Klopp’s first game against the Netherlands demonstrates the level Schade is now reaching internationally.

For Bees fans, the ideal outcome is straightforward, Schade signs a new long term contract, continues scoring, develops further under Andrews and remains an important part of Brentford’s ambitions. The next few months could tell us plenty about where his career is heading.

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These Xbox players got GTA 6 for free the hard way

· Engadget

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Vikings vs. Buccaneers Week 3 preview: Mayfield's struggles, Turner's role, an X-factor, and more

· Yahoo Sports

If the Vikings are going to improve to 3-0 this weekend, they’ll have to get through a desperate Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that really doesn’t want to fall into an 0-3 hole. Let’s dive into this week’s preview.

From the practice field: What they’re saying

The Vikings have a lot of respect for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. That’s been clear all week. Mayfield is a two-time Pro Bowler who has averaged nearly 32 touchdown passes in his three full seasons with Tampa Bay, but the quality that several Vikings and coaches have highlighted is his competitiveness. Mayfield is a guy who will extend plays and lower his shoulder to pick up a first down himself if he has to.

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“I think the one thing about Baker that’s just always stuck out to me is he’s such a competitor,” Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s going to be at his best when it’s required. He’s going to meet the moment. Baker is such a talented guy, but he’s really strong. It takes multiple guys to get him on the ground, and when he does run, he’s going to finish forward, get first downs, and the entire building is going to light up from it.”

“He has this gamer feel to him,” linebacker Blake Cashman said. “It’s almost like backyard football.”

In some ways, the Vikings will look to repeat their containment plan from last week against Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, another guy who loves to extend plays and try to make things happen outside of structure.

“You just gotta be ready to meet that moment as well and try to do some fundamental things to limit his ability to make some of those game-changing plays,” O’Connell said.

The matchup-specific stat that matters

PFF tracks turnover-worthy plays, which are defined as “a pass that has a high percentage chance to be intercepted or a poor job of taking care of the ball and fumbling.” Mayfield has 5 of them in two games, which was tied for the league lead before Jordan Love surged ahead on Thursday night.

Mayfield lost three fumbles in Week 1 against the Bengals. Last week, he threw an interception. He’s been sacked seven times in two games. He’s only been pressured on about a third of his dropbacks so far, but four of his turnover-worthy plays have come when under pressure.

There’s no denying that Mayfield is a talented quarterback who can shred a defense when given time and can make magic happen when a play breaks down. At the same time, the Vikings have to feel like their uniquely aggressive scheme — led by players like Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Jalen Redmond — might be able to force Mayfield into some sacks and a turnover or two.

Individual matchup to highlight

On paper, an easy one to put here would be Turner against Buccaneers star left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is one of the best in the game. But we might not actually see that matchup as often as you’d think.

The beauty of Flores’ defense is in the way it creates schematic predicaments for opponents in pass protection. A lot of Turner’s pressures through two games have come from a combination of his athleticism and the scheme giving him either an unimpeded path to the quarterback or only a tight end to beat, like on the final play in Chicago. The Vikings will move him around the formation to find attack angles.

“You have to decide where you’re gonna give up something,” O’Connell said this week. “If it’s gonna be less eligibles out for the sake of protection, there could be some matchups within that that’s a problem. If it’s gonna be more eligibles out, we’re probably gonna have one more than you got.”

A different matchup worth highlighting is Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancey (94) against Vikings guards Donovan Jackson and Will Fries. Kancey, a 2023 first-round pick, leads Tampa Bay in pressures (7) and is probably their most dangerous pass-rush threat.

Injury/availability report

The Vikings have a relatively clean injury report. Aaron Jones is good to go and will lead Minnesota’s backfield. The only notable injury (outside of Jordan Mason being on IR) is that punter Brett Thorson is out and will be replaced by veteran Johnny Hekker.

For the Buccaneers, two rookie starters — OLB Rueben Bain Jr. and LB Josiah Trotter — have been ruled out. Trotter was off to a very strong start to his career, so that’s a tough loss for Tampa.

X-factor: Bredeson battle

A fun storyline for this game is that brothers Max and Ben Bredeson will be on opposing teams for the first time. Max, the Vikings’ standout rookie fullback, plays around 20 snaps per game and will be an important part of Minnesota’s efforts to run the football against a good Buccaneers defensive front. Ben, the Buccaneers’ left guard, is going to have his hands full with Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez and the Vikings’ interior blitzes.

Which Bredeson brother will emerge victorious?

Head-to-head history and recent trends

The Vikings are 33-24 all-time against the Buccaneers. The two teams played twice a year in the NFC Central from 1978-2001, but this will be just their ninth meeting since 2005. The Buccaneers won the last two, which were at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2023 (the season opener) and in Tampa Bay in 2020.

The Vikings are just 1-7 at Raymond James Stadium since it opened in 1998. The lone win came on a walkoff overtime fumble that was forced and returned for a touchdown by rookie linebacker Anthony Barr in 2014.

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