Kayode was born to Nigerian parents and grew up in Borgomanero, a small commune in the province of Novara with a population of around 21,300 people. Situated just under 70 miles north-east of Turin and 45 miles north-west of Milan, it was in the former city that he began his football education with European giants Juventus.
He started playing football at the age of four and enrolled in an academy at six. He describes that period as the hardest time in his life as he had to start school at 8 am and finish it by 1-2 pm. At 3 pm, he would have to get the bus from Borgomanero and arrive at the training ground at 5 pm.He would have training until 6.30 pm, and then at 8 pm, he would then get the bus back to Borgomanero and get back home at 10 pm or even 11 pm . That became his routine every day for seven years. Keep in mind that he was only six years old back then when he started it off.
Michael Kayode primarily operates as a right-back in Fiorentina’s 4-2-3-1. He is capable of pushing alongside the double pivot and acting as a third centre-back. He has also shown flexibility as he can be deployed at right wing-back as well as left-back.
Kayode’s most valuable quality is his defensive acumen. Gifted with genetics, he possesses immense athleticism and brute strength. However, its not just unadulterated power for the former Juventus and Fiorentina youth player, he also shows great intelligence in stepping out of his position to intercept or counter-press opposition players.
Especially in 1v1 situations, he uses his broad, wide frame to cover space and close all angles for the opposition players. He’s also got excellent upper-body strength to hold off players who tend to get more physical.
Kayode also doesn't hesitate to go to ground if it comes to it. He’s got long legs, which allow him to win the ball with ease without any extra hassle. Besides having great positional awareness, his top recovery pace and athleticism give him an added weapon to his already loaded arsenal.
While in possession, Kayode is a neat passer of the ball. He demonstrates maturity and calmness with every pass, applying the perfect weight to them. He is comfortable carrying the ball out of pressure, often combining with the midfielders inside to build play. His ability to use his left foot means he’s an asset in central areas, opening him up to more angles.
Kayode’s long legs give him the edge defensively, but it also means he’s excellent at carrying the ball in large spaces, particularly in transitional situations. Pair this with his athleticism, and he can be an unstoppable asset in possession. He shows a great understanding of overlapping runs, often running into space if required. However, this is where his biggest weaknesses come in, which is his final third play.