‘In the first training sessions, we saw it’ – Michael Kayode’s long throw is launching Brentford into European contention | OneFootball

Arsenal became the latest victims of Brentford youngster Michael Kayode’s remarkable long throw-in last Thursday, when Sepp van den Berg flicked the ball on for Keane-Lewis Potter to head in at the back post.

The goal secured a 1-1 draw against the Premier League leaders, strengthening Brentford’s push for European qualification in the process.

Unsurprisingly, no team has scored more goals from throw-ins in the top flight than Keith Andrews’ side this season. Since the start of last season, they have scored ten goals from throw-ins which is more than double any other team in the Premier League.

Opposition sides know exactly what to expect but have yet to come up with an effective solution to stopping Kayode’s missile-like throw – even the Premier League’s set-piece kings Arsenal.

The Bees have always been seen as long throw specialists ever since their promotion to the top flight in 2021. Their first Premier League game, a 2-0 win over Arsenal, included a goal from now Gunners midfielder Christian Norgaard which came from a long throw. But Kayode’s specialist skillset has taken their threat from throw-in situations to another level this season.

Kayode’s outstanding ability to throw the ball was evident even as a youngster. “In the first training sessions we saw how he could throw it long,” Antonio Soda, who managed Kayode at the small Italian club of Gozzano as a youngster, explains. “Even as a boy in Gozzano. 

“We prepared some schemes for his throw-in and scored goals, thanks to that quality.” 

Kayode, not just through his long throw-ins but his overall performances too, played a starring role in the 2020/21 campaign as a 16-year-old, helping Gozzano win promotion to Serie C, though the club were unable to make the jump up the leagues because of the impact of the Covid pandemic, instead choosing to remain amateur.

“Among the young players, he was certainly the one who gave us the greatest satisfaction,” Fabrizio Leonardi, Gozzano’s president, recalls.

“His competitive determination and his tactical aggression marked his early career. He was gifted, and undoubtedly honed his technical skills at Fiorentina.

“We are very proud of the presence of our Michael in the Premier League. He is a humble young man with a desire constantly learn and improve.

“I’m not surprised and I’m pleased that this characteristic (his long throw) is now appreciated in the Premier League.”

Kayode’s talents were already known by Fiorentina, having played for the club as a boy, and they had seen enough of the defender at the lower levels to persuade them to bring him back to the club, where he quickly became a first-team regular and helped the Serie A side to the Conference League final.

He initially joined Brentford on loan from the Italian club last season, before making his move permanent in the summer for around £14m – which is increasingly looking like a steal.

“Probably not, no,” Brentford boss Keith Andrews told Hayters earlier this season when asked if he has ever seen a throw-in better than Kayode’s.

“I certainly haven’t worked with one as good. It’s pretty special. He gets a lot of headlines, clearly, for that, but you take that away and he’s still a fantastic footballer.”

Kayode’s next task could well be to help his side avoid an upset in the FA Cup against non-league Macclesfield, who knocked out holders Crystal Palace in the last round.

One of the biggest challenges Premier League sides visiting lower league opposition often have to face in cup competitions is to deal with a long throw, but in this case it will almost certainly be Macclesfield who are the more concerned of the two, should Kayode feature.

His long throw has already helped launch Brentford into European contention – and he will also be hoping it can help the Bees to a cup run to Wembley too.