Brentford’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United had an unexpected hero Nigerian-eligible full back Michael Kayode, whose powerful long throws caused chaos throughout the match. Since joining the Bees from Fiorentina during the winter window, Kayode has reinvented himself in the Premier League, and his latest performance drew high praise from Sky Sports pundit Dan Long.
Kayode’s throw-in was directly involved in Brentford’s equaliser after Mason Mount had opened the scoring for United. He kept the move alive by outmuscling Manchester United youngster Habeeb Ogunneye-Amass, heading the ball back into the box before Mikkel Damsgaard’s deflected shot beat Altay Bayındır.
Sky’s Dan Long highlighted the impact of Kayode’s throws, calling them “a weapon” that adds a unique threat to Thomas Frank’s setup. Kayode’s resurgence comes after a challenging start to the season in Italy, with his physical presence and attacking contribution now making him an asset on both ends of the pitch.
Though he has featured for Italy at youth level, Kayode remains eligible to represent Nigeria at senior level—an opportunity that could see him follow in the footsteps of players like Destiny Udogie and Fikayo Tomori, who faced similar decisions.
Editorial
In an era where set pieces have become as crucial as open play, Michael Kayode’s throw-ins offer Brentford a strategic edge and perhaps Nigeria an option worth exploring. His impact against Manchester United wasn’t just a tactical quirk it was a decisive factor in a high-stakes game.
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Kayode’s development since arriving in the Premier League proves that sometimes, the right environment unlocks the best in a player. What’s most intriguing is how he’s turned something as ordinary as a throw-in into an offensive weapon. It’s this kind of ingenuity that makes modern full-backs so valuable.
For Nigeria, Kayode presents a compelling case. A strong, technical defender with attacking value and Premier League experience? That’s not a profile you ignore lightly. If the NFF is watching—and they should be now is the time to make the call.
Did You Know?
- Michael Kayode was part of Italy’s U20 squad that finished runners-up in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
- He was converted from a winger to a full-back during his development at Juventus’ academy before moving to Fiorentina.
- Brentford’s use of long throw-ins is inspired by Danish football’s set-piece-heavy philosophy, brought in by manager Thomas Frank.
- Kayode is eligible to play for Nigeria through his father, who hails from the South-Western region of the country.
- Brentford’s win over Manchester United marked their first four-goal haul against the Red Devils in over 80 years.
