Mykhailo Mudryk arrived at Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk midway through the transfer window earlier this year, while Kevin Schade joined the Bees on loan from Freiburg in the same month. That deal is expected to be made permanent at the end of the season for what would be a club-record fee.

Both have most commonly been deployed on the left wing, usually as part of a three-man attack, although Schade’s height – he stands at 6ft 1in, four inches taller than Mudryk – has allowed Thomas Frank to sometimes deploy him as a support striker to Ivan Toney.

Mudryk and Schade both left their native countries – Ukraine and Germany – for the first time in their professional careers, and they have been carefully bedded in at their new clubs to give them time to acclimatise to English football. In addition, as quick, skilful wingers, they are useful options off the bench against tiring defences.

Equal playing time

So far, they have both been on the pitch in the Premier League for exactly 443 minutes each. That equates to 12 league appearances for Schade versus Mudryk’s 10, but five starts for our man to the German’s four. Mudryk’s average length of appearance is 45 minutes, Schade’s 37.

Neither has scored yet for their new clubs although they have certainly come close to doing so. Mudryk’s xG is 1.18 and Schade’s 1.90, with the latter’s miss against Aston Villa on Saturday responsible for a chunky proportion of that figure. He shot wide on his left foot with the goal at his mercy.

Final-third effect

The duo’s shooting stats are similar. Mudryk is slightly more accurate (38 per cent on target to Schade’s 29 per cent) and more prolific (0.9 to 0.8 shots per game).

Mudryk has two assists to his name and Schade one, although the latter does average slightly more key passes per game (0.5 to 0.4). He has also won a penalty – like Mudryk, Schade’s electric pace has already proven hard for Premier League defences to handle.

Considering the style of play of both teams, it is no surprise the Ukrainian plays more accurate passes (nine to five) and has a better pass completion rate than his counterpart, overall (77 to 60 per cent) and in the opposition half (64 to 49 per cent). Brentford are always happy to endure long spells without possession knowing their counter-attacking ability and set-piece delivery will create chances no matter what.

Both players like to take on their full-back, blending skill with speed. Mudryk has completed six dribbles to Schade’s 10, and on average the Brentford man is successful with 3.4 total duels per game, compared to Mudryk’s 2.5. However, Schade’s height (and Brentford’s more direct approach) has an impact here, as he wins 1.4 aerial duels a game, Mudryk just 0.3. On the ground, they are pretty level pegging, with Mudryk also inviting more fouls (eight to five this season) and conceding fewer (six to 11).

On a big evening in west London, Mudryk and Schade would love to open their account for their new club, although for both players you suspect next season is when they will show their very best work after a promising first few months in English football.