Three Brentford Players With a Point to Prove This Season

We are now just 17 days away from Brentford's 26/27 season getting underway, as Tottenham Hotspur are welcomed for a 17:30 kick off live on Sky Sports. 

Before that, there are two friendlies to get your teeth into, with a clash away to Ligue 1 side Rennes this weekend, before a home game against Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt the following Saturday. 

With all of this in mind, we take a look at three Brentford players with a point to prove this campaign, as the season draws ever closer. 

1) Kevin Schade 

On the face of it, this may seem a bit harsh. The 24-year old scored eight Premier League goals from the wing last season, which really isn't anything to be sniffed at. It was a higher tally than was managed by Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cody Gakpo, Eberechi Eze, Iliman Ndiaye, and Anthony Gordon. 

However, Schade continues to split opinion within the Bees fanbase. There is an idea that, whilst his numbers are fairly good, his general performances can be frustrating and that he struggles for consistency. For example, he scored two goals after the 27th of December last season. 

Not only has Schade got a point to prove to his doubters, but also to new German national team manager, Jurgen Klopp. Having been called up by Klopp's predecessor, Julian Naglesmann in March, he did not make the cut for the World Cup squad, so he will be hoping for a clean slate under Klopp. At his best, he does feel like the sort of forward the former Liverpool manager would like a lot. 

2) Josh Dasilva 

This one may hit close to home for some. Dasilva is a very popular player amongst the fanbase, and no doubt the dressing room too. It is not about ability with him, simply availability. 

Last season, he only managed to total 22 minutes of action, and those are his only 22 minutes in the past two 1/2 years. It is incredibly frustrating for him and everyone associated with the club when he misses so much football. 

With one year remaining on his contract, it feels pivotal for Dasilva that he proves his fitness this year. Nobody is expecting him to start every game. But there has to be some expectation. Let's say 1500 minutes - a little short of 17 full 90's, across all competitions. 

If he is unable to show he can consistently - or at all - stay fit, it may be the end for him in a Bees shirt. Sure, he ended up getting a new deal (eventually) after his contract expired in 2025, but will the club take that same chance again, knowing that nothing really changed? As harsh as it may sound, probably not. So let's hope. 

3) Nathan Collins

At his best, Collins is a very good player. He has a lot of attributes you would want in the modern defender. Physically imposing, decent enough on the ball. But he still has struggled to cut out his issues with concentration, or a lack there of, that have prevented him from reaching the next step. 

At 25, he is not a young player anymore. He is coming up to what should be the prime years of his career, where he really begins to take those necessary leaps in his development. Last season, there was not much expectation on Brentford as a collective, this year there will be, and Collins is a part of that.