BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Brentford’s Michael Kayode reacts during the 2026/27 Premier League match between Brentford and Chelsea Football Club at Gtech Community Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierce/Getty Images)
Michael Kayode received his first call-up to the Italian national team and marked the occasion with an outstanding performance in Brentford’s 3-0 win over Chelsea: “He followed the game plan to the letter,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Brentford right-back Kayode is one of nine potential starters called up by Roberto Mancini for Italy’s upcoming Nations League campaign.
Kayode has already made his mark on the Azzurri youth set-up, scoring the winning goal in the 2023 European U19 final against Portugal.
The 22-year-old made 10 appearances for Italy’s U21s before making his first call-up to the senior squad.
Yesterday was a special day for the former Fiorentina defender, who marked his call-up to the Azzurri after an outstanding performance against Chelsea as Brentford won 3-0.
Kayode started the game and was replaced in the 69th minute with the team leading 1-0. The Italy international played the full 90 minutes against Reading in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Gazette notes Kayode followed Keith Andrews’ tactical plan perfectly.
The Brentford coach asked Kayode to “play alongside centre-backs Yannick Schuster and Christopher Ajer, stay in the backline and only make his presence felt in attack during set-pieces and long throw-ins,” the pink paper wrote.
“Kayode followed the game plan to the letter, staying in to provide stability to the defense and pushing Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer (the top threats on the Bees’ defense) away from him to utilize the central channel.”
Kayode joined Brentford on loan from Fiorentina in January 2025, and the Bees made him permanent for €17.5 million at the end of the season.
La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that the promising right-back “has become one of the idols of the fans” at Brentford and the Italian flag could be seen among the celebrating supporters in the circle of honor after last night’s victory.
In July this year, Kayode signed a contract extension until 2032.