Kayode’s ‘best is yet to come’ as agent hails Brentford and Italy talent
BURSA, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Kayode of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Sandro Tonali during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Brentford full-back Michael Kayode marked his Italy debut with a goal in Bursa, and his agent believes it is only the start.
Speaking to Tuttosport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Giuseppe Pesce described watching the moment from the stands in Turkiye, and having to keep a lid on it.
“It’s a source of pride to see Michael at this level. I was in Bursa on Monday for his debut and when the goal went in I felt a very strong emotion,” Pesce said.
“Consider that I even had to hold back my celebration, because we Italians were surrounded by police. So I stayed composed, even if inside I was exploding. It was an incredible debut, worthy of a film plot.”
Pesce: ‘Kayode still has big margins for improvement’
The agent was clear that a first senior cap should be treated as a starting point rather than his ceiling.
“The best comes now. Having got to the point of starting for the national team is only a point of departure to keep doing better. Michael still has big margins for improvement.”
What has struck him most is the temperament, particularly through a difficult final period at Fiorentina.
“He surprised me with the incredible humility that sets him apart and with knowing how to face every situation with a smile. Even when things weren’t going the best way in his last months in Florence, Michael never got down and carried straight on his own path. The facts proved him right with the move to the Premier League, strongly wanted by everyone and arriving at a difficult moment when he was playing little.”
Kayode has become a regular at Brentford, who are unbeaten in the early weeks of the season, and his form has been enough to see him preferred to Giovanni Di Lorenzo by Roberto Mancini.
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