Michael Kayode
Not for me, thanks. I'd rather not have Ajer playing either full back and why move Kayode from his best position?
Michael Kayode (1 Viewer)
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LongLostBee
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Michael Kayode
Michael's brilliant but just needs to accept that in certain situations, where the player is ahead of him, he's going to have to let Kelleher save it and a penalty (plus possible red card) is a far worse outcome, and avoid tangling legs. We got very lucky yesterday that it was neither.
PGH_Bee
#1 target
Michael Kayode
I think that Kayode has some very clear strengths and weaknesses. The big strengths are running with the ball, passing, defending 1 on 1 and his overall physicality. His weaknesses seem to be related to his positioning defensively in a unit and defending when behind the ball carrier or in a desperation situation. He's given away more than his share of penalties this season and we are fortunate that it isn't one more after the Bournemouth game. All fixable issues that are normal for a 21 year old player to have. Sky is the limit and he's a joy to watch
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Michael Kayode
This long read was published by The Athletic this morning. What strikes is that he is equally impressive as a person and player. He will go to the very top.
“Brentford are in the mix to qualify for European competition for the first time in their history — and one player looking to launch them there, quite literally, is Michael Kayode.
The right-back moved to the Gtech Community Stadium on loan from Fiorentina at the end of January 2025 and made the move to west London permanent last summer.
It is a move that is suiting player and club. “It’s amazing. The fans are crazy every game,” Kayode, 21, tells The Athletic. “They come every time to every away game. Macclesfield (in the FA Cup fourth round) was a lot of fans. I didn’t expect this because it was far to come (on a Monday night). So, I say ‘thank you’ to them.
“Brentford is a special team. The first time I went to the club, I felt like I was three or four years with the team. I love this club and for me, everything is so easy here.”
In a Premier League season where set-piece goals are regularly deciding games, the Italy Under-21 international has played a huge part in the renaissance with his long throw-ins, which have been hurled up to 45 yards.
He is yet to register an official assist this season, but his throws into the box have led to plenty of goals for Keith Andrews’ side against a host of teams, including Liverpool, Newcastle United and Arsenal. No club is more threatening from throw-ins and no player has taken more long throws (at least 20 metres) in the top flight than Kayode (122).
His approach? “Let’s see what happens in the box,” he laughs.
What usually happens is complete chaos. Brentford have a combined expected goals (xG) of 4.3 in the 10 seconds that follow their throw-ins, the highest in the league, showing how Kayode’s lobs into the box lead to goalscoring chances.
Kayode’s throws have helped Brentford reach lofty heights as they look to eclipse their record Premier League points tally of 59 from the 2022-23 season. They are seventh in the table on 44 points with nine games remaining.
But his most memorable throw of all was not taken during an actual game.
He recently went viral on social media when he and his partner, who is pregnant with their first child, shared a unique baby gender reveal. In the video, Kayode threw a ball into the goal at Brentford’s stadium and pink smoke burst into the air to reveal they are having a girl.
It is a stadium that clearly holds plenty of special memories for Kayode. But that might top the lot for a player who spent seven years at Juventus’ academy before moving to Serie D side Gozzano, where he made his senior debut at 16 against opposition players two decades older than him.
Kayode was born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents Victoria and Anthony. He grew up in Gattico, a frazione (small town or village) in the north of Italy that has a population of around 5,000 people and is roughly a one-hour drive north-west of Milan. It was a quiet place to grow up for him and his brother Davide, who both had an active childhood involving lots of football, athletics and swimming.
One of Kayode’s biggest dreams is to make his senior international debut for Italy.
Having failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Italy have a World Cup semi-final play-off against Northern Ireland this month. The play-off and World Cup may come too soon for Kayode to be included in the squad despite the recent injury to Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who usually plays at right-back. Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso may not want to risk siding with a debutant when he has more experienced options, such as versatile Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori or Juventus wing-back Andrea Cambiaso.
That will not stop Kayode from working towards his goal of featuring for the Azzurri.
“For every player, it’s a dream to be in the national team, especially now because of the qualifications for the World Cup. I really hope we qualify,” Kayode says. “It’s important to do very well at the club because if you don’t do well at your club, you don’t get a call-up. So I just think about Brentford and if I get the opportunity (with Italy), that’s it.”
Kayode has tasted success representing Italy’s youth teams and wants to replicate it at senior level. In July 2023, playing on the right wing, he scored the only goal, a header, in the European Under-19 Championship final against Portugal.
“I was lucky,” he says, playing it down. “The ‘keeper made a little bit of a mistake. But, yeah, I’m still happy about that. I remember this day every day.”
As he strives towards a call-up from Italy, Kayode is eligible to represent Nigeria, a heritage he is deeply proud of and connected to through his parents.
“I’m happy that the Nigerian people are happy for me. The opportunity to (be eligible to) play for both is amazing.”
His parents love watching him play in the Premier League, given how much he and they had to sacrifice to get to this point.
“For them it’s so special,” he says. “They are very proud of me, but I have to say thank you because they took me everywhere, when it was really far. They believe in me — if I’m here, it’s because of that.”
When Kayode played for Juventus’ academy in Turin, it meant a two- or three-hour journey — depending on traffic and how many player pickups there were on the route — around five times a week. Some nights, he would not return home until 11pm and then he would have to be up early for school the next day and back at training that evening.
“I was so tired, definitely, but it was my passion — it is still my passion, which makes it easier.”
Kayode has settled in well at Brentford and has only missed one league game this season in what many believed would be a difficult campaign after a busy summer.
“You know everyone can talk, but every time I was thinking, ‘That’s not us’. We are here now because we’re a fantastic group. We have a crazy, good relationship and Keith Andrews has done an amazing job — I’m so happy for him.”
Not only did Brentford lose key players Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United, Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United and Christian Norgaard to Arsenal — but they also had to replace their manager of seven years, Thomas Frank. Getting Brentford promoted to the top flight was a notable achievement in itself, so solidifying their place was even more impressive. When Tottenham Hotspur headhunted Frank, it was Andrews, Frank’s former set-piece coach, who was chosen to replace him.
Frank has since left Spurs while Brentford have gone from strength to strength.
“I was coached by him (Frank) for five months because I came here in the last days of January,” Kayode says. “I have a very, very good relationship with him. I have to say thank you to him because I’m at Brentford. It’s not easy to see what happened (to him at Spurs), but he will always be an amazing coach.”
Brentford’s season has been spearheaded by 18 league goals from Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, who has been rewarded with a contract that runs to 2031. Alongside Thiago, Kayode has been one of Andrews’ star players as they chase European qualification.
Kayode got his first taste of the magic those nights can provide when he was mascot alongside Leonardo Bonucci for Juventus’ Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich in April 2013.
He felt nervous stepping out onto the pitch that night as Juventus lost 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate) to the eventual champions. But it lit a spark for a teenage Kayode, as did watching his Fiorentina team-mates lose back-to-back Conference League finals in 2023 against West Ham United and 2024 against Olympiacos. Kayode made 13 appearances in UEFA competitions for Fiorentina but was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Olympiacos in Athens. “Still now I feel so sad about it,” he says.
It will mean everything to Brentford fans if they are to qualify for Europe. And in Kayode, they have a player who is going to go the distance to get them there — especially with his throws.
“Brentford are in the mix to qualify for European competition for the first time in their history — and one player looking to launch them there, quite literally, is Michael Kayode.
The right-back moved to the Gtech Community Stadium on loan from Fiorentina at the end of January 2025 and made the move to west London permanent last summer.
It is a move that is suiting player and club. “It’s amazing. The fans are crazy every game,” Kayode, 21, tells The Athletic. “They come every time to every away game. Macclesfield (in the FA Cup fourth round) was a lot of fans. I didn’t expect this because it was far to come (on a Monday night). So, I say ‘thank you’ to them.
“Brentford is a special team. The first time I went to the club, I felt like I was three or four years with the team. I love this club and for me, everything is so easy here.”
In a Premier League season where set-piece goals are regularly deciding games, the Italy Under-21 international has played a huge part in the renaissance with his long throw-ins, which have been hurled up to 45 yards.
He is yet to register an official assist this season, but his throws into the box have led to plenty of goals for Keith Andrews’ side against a host of teams, including Liverpool, Newcastle United and Arsenal. No club is more threatening from throw-ins and no player has taken more long throws (at least 20 metres) in the top flight than Kayode (122).
His approach? “Let’s see what happens in the box,” he laughs.
What usually happens is complete chaos. Brentford have a combined expected goals (xG) of 4.3 in the 10 seconds that follow their throw-ins, the highest in the league, showing how Kayode’s lobs into the box lead to goalscoring chances.
Kayode’s throws have helped Brentford reach lofty heights as they look to eclipse their record Premier League points tally of 59 from the 2022-23 season. They are seventh in the table on 44 points with nine games remaining.
But his most memorable throw of all was not taken during an actual game.
He recently went viral on social media when he and his partner, who is pregnant with their first child, shared a unique baby gender reveal. In the video, Kayode threw a ball into the goal at Brentford’s stadium and pink smoke burst into the air to reveal they are having a girl.
It is a stadium that clearly holds plenty of special memories for Kayode. But that might top the lot for a player who spent seven years at Juventus’ academy before moving to Serie D side Gozzano, where he made his senior debut at 16 against opposition players two decades older than him.
Kayode was born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents Victoria and Anthony. He grew up in Gattico, a frazione (small town or village) in the north of Italy that has a population of around 5,000 people and is roughly a one-hour drive north-west of Milan. It was a quiet place to grow up for him and his brother Davide, who both had an active childhood involving lots of football, athletics and swimming.
One of Kayode’s biggest dreams is to make his senior international debut for Italy.
Having failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Italy have a World Cup semi-final play-off against Northern Ireland this month. The play-off and World Cup may come too soon for Kayode to be included in the squad despite the recent injury to Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who usually plays at right-back. Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso may not want to risk siding with a debutant when he has more experienced options, such as versatile Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori or Juventus wing-back Andrea Cambiaso.
That will not stop Kayode from working towards his goal of featuring for the Azzurri.
“For every player, it’s a dream to be in the national team, especially now because of the qualifications for the World Cup. I really hope we qualify,” Kayode says. “It’s important to do very well at the club because if you don’t do well at your club, you don’t get a call-up. So I just think about Brentford and if I get the opportunity (with Italy), that’s it.”
Kayode has tasted success representing Italy’s youth teams and wants to replicate it at senior level. In July 2023, playing on the right wing, he scored the only goal, a header, in the European Under-19 Championship final against Portugal.
“I was lucky,” he says, playing it down. “The ‘keeper made a little bit of a mistake. But, yeah, I’m still happy about that. I remember this day every day.”
As he strives towards a call-up from Italy, Kayode is eligible to represent Nigeria, a heritage he is deeply proud of and connected to through his parents.
“I’m happy that the Nigerian people are happy for me. The opportunity to (be eligible to) play for both is amazing.”
His parents love watching him play in the Premier League, given how much he and they had to sacrifice to get to this point.
“For them it’s so special,” he says. “They are very proud of me, but I have to say thank you because they took me everywhere, when it was really far. They believe in me — if I’m here, it’s because of that.”
When Kayode played for Juventus’ academy in Turin, it meant a two- or three-hour journey — depending on traffic and how many player pickups there were on the route — around five times a week. Some nights, he would not return home until 11pm and then he would have to be up early for school the next day and back at training that evening.
“I was so tired, definitely, but it was my passion — it is still my passion, which makes it easier.”
Kayode has settled in well at Brentford and has only missed one league game this season in what many believed would be a difficult campaign after a busy summer.
“You know everyone can talk, but every time I was thinking, ‘That’s not us’. We are here now because we’re a fantastic group. We have a crazy, good relationship and Keith Andrews has done an amazing job — I’m so happy for him.”
Not only did Brentford lose key players Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United, Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United and Christian Norgaard to Arsenal — but they also had to replace their manager of seven years, Thomas Frank. Getting Brentford promoted to the top flight was a notable achievement in itself, so solidifying their place was even more impressive. When Tottenham Hotspur headhunted Frank, it was Andrews, Frank’s former set-piece coach, who was chosen to replace him.
Frank has since left Spurs while Brentford have gone from strength to strength.
“I was coached by him (Frank) for five months because I came here in the last days of January,” Kayode says. “I have a very, very good relationship with him. I have to say thank you to him because I’m at Brentford. It’s not easy to see what happened (to him at Spurs), but he will always be an amazing coach.”
Brentford’s season has been spearheaded by 18 league goals from Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, who has been rewarded with a contract that runs to 2031. Alongside Thiago, Kayode has been one of Andrews’ star players as they chase European qualification.
Kayode got his first taste of the magic those nights can provide when he was mascot alongside Leonardo Bonucci for Juventus’ Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich in April 2013.
He felt nervous stepping out onto the pitch that night as Juventus lost 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate) to the eventual champions. But it lit a spark for a teenage Kayode, as did watching his Fiorentina team-mates lose back-to-back Conference League finals in 2023 against West Ham United and 2024 against Olympiacos. Kayode made 13 appearances in UEFA competitions for Fiorentina but was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Olympiacos in Athens. “Still now I feel so sad about it,” he says.
It will mean everything to Brentford fans if they are to qualify for Europe. And in Kayode, they have a player who is going to go the distance to get them there — especially with his throws.
KenCootesNephew
KC 559 for BFC.
Michael Kayode
I know there's no such thing as a 'one team' footballing career these days but I'd be happy for Michael to stay and have a crack at Uncle Ken's appearance record for BFC.
I believe the old boy would approve too
I believe the old boy would approve too
OhBeehave
Active member
Michael Kayode
Baubaul
S-a născut vedetă și-a murit speranță
Michael Kayode
Yeah of course £30M to get out of bed, extra £60M to go up north or down deutsche souf and obviously £100M+ for the smile.
That should about do it
badgerbee
Mafeking Avenue........gets you there!!!!
Michael Kayode
£30M??!!
Have they not learnt anything from the Wi
a deal??!! 
Untouchable
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Michael Kayode
This sounds right to me considering Phil Giles poor record in the transfer market.
Newcastle should remember that they were rinsed for £55m for Wissa. I expect Giles could extract 9 figures from them for Kayode if we so wanted.
jlove
Well-known member
Michael Kayode
Why on earth would BFC ‘set a valuation’ on a player who can only improve? It’s clueless nonsense.
Michael Kayode
It was noticable that once Rico went off,Jensen took all the throw in's and Kayode did the covering job for the possible counter attack.I imagine that we'll have to go that way in the near future.
stomalomalus
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Michael Kayode
The thing about Michael is that he is so incredible 1v1. I don't think I've ever seen a defender so good at winning duels.
But he's still learning, and he doesn't get it 100% on position, awareness, and decision making. Which is 100% natural.
Sometimes watching him, I feel like he's literally the best player I've ever seen in a Bees shirt by a distance. He's just has such a great understanding of space, of how opposition players use that space, and at how he can exploit that. His runs might seem crazy, and he seems to wriggle away in tight spaces so well, but he's always identified an empty patch of grass, and he's motoring toward it. His close control allows him to do so.
Needs to add some more final product, as when he's got there, it seems like he often has a bit of "rabbit in headlights" moments... but that'll all come.
The talk right now is that Hakimi is the best RB in the world. Well, Michael is far better than Hakimi was at 21. He's going to be the best in the world.
But he's still learning, and he doesn't get it 100% on position, awareness, and decision making. Which is 100% natural.
Sometimes watching him, I feel like he's literally the best player I've ever seen in a Bees shirt by a distance. He's just has such a great understanding of space, of how opposition players use that space, and at how he can exploit that. His runs might seem crazy, and he seems to wriggle away in tight spaces so well, but he's always identified an empty patch of grass, and he's motoring toward it. His close control allows him to do so.
Needs to add some more final product, as when he's got there, it seems like he often has a bit of "rabbit in headlights" moments... but that'll all come.
The talk right now is that Hakimi is the best RB in the world. Well, Michael is far better than Hakimi was at 21. He's going to be the best in the world.
Untouchable
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JANORAK
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Michael Kayode
Mark on Bees Player reckoned he ‘just wasn’t feeling it’! Distance wasn’t being achieved etc.
Michael Kayode
effective player or not, strengths and weaknesses balanced sure. But when you see him at full back get his head down and turn toward the centre circle and start one of his barmy barn storming runs we all get a bit moist. Its such a chaos move and typically quite effective. Love to see it.
Downbeat Bee
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Michael Kayode
I think the ‘it was a silly challenge but he’s got lots of credit in the bank’ sentiments need an update. Too many mistakes.
A Real Mysteron
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BeesManMax
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Michael Kayode
Hendersons pass to him didn’t particularly help the situation
abellbee
Member
Michael Kayode
Question for Theme Park, although it made no difference why was Summervilles push on Kayode not a DOGSO, It was almost under the crossbar. Got a yellow & pen but why not red.??
damsgard.szn
que sera sera
alexinho
Active member
Michael Kayode
Watching the highlights back on the bus to work - MK's challenge on Adama Traoré is another ridiculous moment in last night's game. He is running away from goal, and Michael sticks his leg between AT's.... completely unnecessary challenge, and unfortunately he is making at least one of them in the box every game at the moment. Clumsy at best.
Norfolk Bee
Norfolk Bee
Michael Kayode
Not Michael's best idea to try to dislodge ball from Tarore in the way he did, but it looked to me from one good angle that Traore initiated contacted with the swan dive to follow.
jlove
Well-known member
Michael Kayode
He’s got to learn – and learn very quickly – that wild defensive actions are exceptionally high risk and that opposition players will generally make the most of them.
He did try very hard to make up for it with his dribbles, throws and marauding in the opposition box, though.
abellbee
Member
Michael Kayode
Good point but Haaland for City against Liverpool, he had knocked the ball forward so was not in control of the ball when he was taken out, It's the inconsistency that's so difficult to grasp.
jlove
Well-known member
kendo
Active member
Michael Kayode
Great header!!
Maybe needs to concentrate more on defensive qualities.
Getting pulled out of position a lot.
Maybe needs to concentrate more on defensive qualities.
Getting pulled out of position a lot.
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Bigbee
Well-known member
jlove
Well-known member
Michael Kayode
Probably been reminded he’s a right back… although, without Henry, he’s got a lot more responsibility defending with pace when the opposition break.
hanworthbee
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KenCootesNephew
KC 559 for BFC.
Michael Kayode
His first goal for us. Huge moment for Michael.
Sadly seems to have been overlooked a bit on here
PGH_Bee
#1 target
Michael Kayode
Been making consistent runs to the back post as of late. Not going to be his last goal, that’s for sure. One of our best players and assets, without a doubt
OP
OP
Les Beeavinu
Administrator
Michael Kayode
Since Rico got injured I'd say so maybe has been given the role of the more attacking full back.
benfleetbee
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Michael Kayode
Seeing as we are a bit short in midfield how about Ajer going right back and Kayode moving to right midfield
PGH_Bee
#1 target
Balders Bee
Active member
Michael Kayode
Their Left-Back hung out wide throughout the entire second half whilst Kayode seemed to be under instruction to defend narrow which we appeared slow to react to. Seemed more tactical than down to Kayode. I think we're seeing the impact on a long first season for Kayode. His game is all about energy and running, his first campaign in the PL and it is understandable that errors do creep in - especially with his style of play. He's still an enormous positive to the team overall probably just not quite hitting the heights of earlier in the season - though admittedly he's not alone in the squad on that front. Hopefully the longer International rest after the Leeds game will see him fully refreshed and recharged for the final push to European glory
Paul_T
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Michael Kayode
Only realised that was his first goal watching the highlights, for some reason, my brain had it that he'd already scored. Cracking header.His first goal for us. Huge moment for Michael.
Sadly seems to have been overlooked a bit on here
Oldboy TW8 0AW
A Bee for a lifetime since 1963
Michael Kayode
A brilliant header from Kayode for his first goal for the club.
He is still work in progress, at times last night he was drawn more towards the centre of the defence,
leaving far too much space on the
back stick at times. Over time I am sure his positional play will improve.
Kayode's marauding charges forward gets the fans' full vocal support.
As for his 'missile' throw ins, mix them up and the Bees, I am sure will get more chances from them.
Michael Kayode is another great find by Brentford's scouting team.
COYB's
.
He is still work in progress, at times last night he was drawn more towards the centre of the defence,
leaving far too much space on the
back stick at times. Over time I am sure his positional play will improve.
Kayode's marauding charges forward gets the fans' full vocal support.
As for his 'missile' throw ins, mix them up and the Bees, I am sure will get more chances from them.
Michael Kayode is another great find by Brentford's scouting team.
COYB's
.Michael Kayode
One more 90 minutes and he gets a 3 week break, sirNeeds a break but can’t have one.
Cocokeelers
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Michael Kayode
At least he gets his 3 week rest.
Anyone know if his partner is due before the end of the season? We could do with him being available for all 8 remaining games.
OP
OP
Les Beeavinu
Administrator
Michael Kayode
A bizarre choice instead - Brighton's Diogo Coppolo, 5 appearances this season, out on loan in France, yet to make his debut in Ligue 2.
Michael Kayode
well he's a CB and has been in and around the national team for the past year so that will be a devil you know choice from Gattuso.
Kayode has lost out to Marco Palestra. He'll definitely be gutted to miss out on this particular squad, .with Di Lorenzo injured and Bellanova not selected
PGH_Bee
#1 target
Michael Kayode
They also took Marco Palestra, another 21 year old RB. Kayode may have an uphill battle if he wants to play for his country. The cynic in me can't help but wonder if some of it is because he's not *ahem* 'traditionally italian'. There may be bias as well simply because he's outside of the italian league. Not right but it is what it is.
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