In a recent exclusive interview with Chiamarsi Bomber, Michael Kayode discussed, among other things, coming through the ranks at Juventus. The defender also spoke about his journey at Brentford, where he has risen quickly in a short time.
The 21-year-old Brentford fullback started his journey in football with The Old Lady, but after a four year spell (2014–18) he was moved on. He joined Gozzano’s academy in 2018 and moved to Fiorentina’s youth setup, though he returned to Gozzano to make his senior debut in the fourth tier of Italian football.
Since then, the Italy U21 international has been on a constant upward trajectory. He impressed in Serie A in La Viola colours before making a switch to the Premier League, where he’s currently a key part of a Brentford side sensationally chasing European football for next season.
In his own words, Kayode’s departure from Turin worked out well for him.
“The way it went, no. It seems crazy, but the fact that Juve rejected me was a turning point because it gave me the strength to get to these levels. In that group we were about 60 boys and only in 2-3 now they play at professional level. Gozzano changed my life, at 16 they gave me the chance to start with people older and more experienced than me. Playing in Juventus’ under-16 team is different from playing in Serie D where there are people who give everything to win.”
Reflecting on his journey in London, he said: “At the beginning, I was often on the bench and came on late in the game, plus I was sidelined for a month due to a knee injury. Then I returned well in April and started the last six games. It wasn’t easy at the beginning.”
“I remember the debut match against Tottenham, where I was marking Son. It was incredible! I was lucky to find teammates and a club that helped me integrate right away. I felt like I’d been here for so many years.”
The Italian has developed a reputation for a long-throw and he revealed how he developed it.
“It started in Gozzano: my teammates and I were playing in the gym throwing balls, and everyone noticed I had a long throw. From there, we tried using it in matches, and it worked.”
He also shed light on his ambitions with Brentford and how the club desires to grow.
“Many underestimated us. At the start of the season, they told us we’d fight to stay up, and that was our strength. And then they make you feel at home here.”
“Brentford is like a family to me. It’s wonderful to work with the staff and my teammates, and that helps me give my all on the pitch. That’s our strength. Objectives? In five years, since promotion to the Premier League, we’ve made incredible progress. It’s an ambitious club. Now we’re focusing on getting to Europe, then we’ll see.”
Kayode made the best of his situation, and now sky’s the limit
For every promising player who gets to make their senior team debut with a league-leading team, there are several who are asked to find a landing spot lower down the pecking order, and there are several more who never get a chance at all.
Rejections are an inevitable part of a player’s journey, so credit goes to Kayode for being able to look on the positive side of things after leaving Juve, and opting to take whatever chance that would come his way.
Turning out in the fourth tier would have been a humbling experience, especially as a teenager, though it also undeniably fast-tracked him being able to adapt to the physicality of senior football, which is evident in the manner in which he has taken to Premier League football.
All things considered, Kayode’s trajectory has made him one of the most exciting fullbacks in one of the leading football leagues in the world at just 21 years of age.
With a senior Italy call-up imminent, and European qualification very likely with Brentford, Kayode is well and truly set for a long, prosperous career at the top.
Anshuman Joshi I GIFN
