In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey mentioned that Tottenham Hotspur are in the running to land Fiorentina full-back Michael Kayode this summer. It has been stated that Spurs would have to rival Aston Villa in the race to sign the Italian defender.
Kayode’s Impressive Rise In Italian Football Last Season
The 19-year-old caught the eye at times with his performances for the Italian club in the previous campaign. Kayode made 37 appearances for Fiorentina last season, scoring one goal and earning four assists in 37 appearances for Fiorentina last season in all competitions.
The Italian youngster has been a decent performer at both ends of the field based on his average of 2.0 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 1.5 clearances, 0.6 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game in Serie A. He has even been tidy when distributing the ball from the right flank, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 87% in the Italian top tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Italian club will run out in the summer of 2028 which would make it difficult for Spurs to sign him on a cut-price deal later this year.
Is Kayode A Good Choice For Tottenham Hotspur?
Kayode is a solid tackler of the ball and can scan the danger well to earn the ball back for his team on the defensive third of the pitch. He usually clears the danger when the opposition are on the front foot.
The Italian sensation is a decent dribbler with the ball at his feet and can create the odd chance for his teammates in the final third. He is primarily a right-back but can also fill in as a left-back or as a right-sided wide player if asked to do so.
We can expect to add more quality and depth to Tottenham head coach Angelos Postecoglu’s defence. He has what it takes to help the North London club challenge for some major honours over the next decade.
At 19, Kayode has got a bright future ahead of him which makes him a great choice for Spurs to consider this off-season. However, there are some question marks over whether the Italian full-back can adapt to the physical style and high intensity of Premier League football.
