The International future of Brentford full-back Michael Kayode has been in the air after a series of brilliant outings in the English Premier League this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 21-year-old joined the Bees from Italian side Fiorentina last summer for €17.5m, and has featured in all but one of Brentford’s games this season, showing consistency and versatility.
Kayode has also taken English Football to its early years with his speciality from long throws that has provided several chances for Keith Andrews side this season; a method several top teams have imitated.
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Michael Kayode: Italy’s gem who is on Super Eagles radar
Kayode was born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents, Yoruba specifically, even holding the middle name ‘Olabode’, which translates into ‘wealth has returned’.
The versatile defender started his career with the Juventus Youth team, where he remained for seven years before moving to Fiorentina five years ago, where he was integrated into the youth setup before making his way into the first team.
His breakout season came in the 2023/2024 campaign, where he played 26 league games, scored a goal and set up two others. In the same year, he got his maiden call-up to Italy’s U-21 team at the age of 18.
For all of his brilliance in the English Premier League this season, he wasn’t called up to the Italian senior team. Led by Gattuso, the four-time FIFA World Cup winners missed out on a chance to qualify for the 2026 Mundial showdown in three consecutive tries.
Still, Kayode presses on to earn the call of the nation he was born; “I want to earn it (call-up) & for that, I have to keep performing well with my club. So I only think about Brentford & IF I get the opportunity with Italy, I will know how to take advantage of it,” as per the Athletic.
Nigeria, on the other hand, are looking to take advantage of the situation. According to ViolaNews, top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are preparing a direct meeting with the defender after receiving approval from head coach Eric Chelle.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro believes the talent possessed by the defender is undeniable, but isn’t a big fan of the NFF always looking for talent abroad, instead of developing local players.
“We need to pay more attention to production. A lot of these players, their first instinct is that they would rather be with their adopted countries, the places where they think the football is bigger.
“So more often than not, them coming back to say they are going to play for Nigeria is as a result of missing out on selection in their adopted countries. That means us taking the leftovers,” the Olympic 96 Gold medallist said on the ATHLST podcast
The Brentford man isn’t oblivious of Nigeria’s interest either. Earlier this season, he appreciated the love he got from the fanbase of the Green and Whites. “I’m happy that the Nigerian people are happy for me. The opportunity to play for both is amazing.”
The option to represent either nation clearly appeals to him, and legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has urged the Italian FA to tie Kayode to Gli Azzuri before he changes his mind.
The Super Eagles are stacked with talent in the right-back position, should Kayode choose to represent Italy. Bright Osayi-Samuel has shone in Ola Aina’s absence, while Ryan Alebiosu and Benjamin Frederick have all shown they can put in decent shifts when called upon.
