Italy & Brentford talent Kayode among Premier League YPOTS nominees

TL;DR

Michael Kayode, the Brentford right-back, is nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award after a standout debut campaign. His performance has raised questions about his exclusion from Italy’s World Cup play-off squad.

Key points

Michael Kayode is nominated for Premier League Young Player of the Season.
He plays as a right-back for Brentford.
Kayode's performances have sparked debate over his exclusion from Italy's World Cup squad.

Mentioned in this story

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Brentford

Italy & Brentford talent Kayode among Premier League YPOTS nominees

Michael Kayode is among eight players nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, recognition of an impressive debut campaign in English football that has left many questioning why Gennaro Gattuso overlooked him for Italy’s World Cup play-off squad.

The Brentford right-back has been one of the standout performers in his position this season, catching the eye with his athleticism, directness and defensive solidity.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Michael Kayode of Brentford during the Premier League match between Everton and Brentford at Hill Dickinson Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Kayode nominated for Premier League Young Player of the Season

His omission from the Azzurri squad provoked considerable debate among supporters and pundits alike, with many feeling he had done more than enough to earn a place in the squad.

The full list of nominees is: Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), (), (Newcastle), Michael (Brentford), Junior Kroupi (), (), (Manchester City) and (Bournemouth).

Q&A

Who is Michael Kayode and why is he nominated for the YPOTS?

Michael Kayode is a right-back for Brentford, nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season due to his impressive performances in his debut season.

What are the key attributes that made Kayode stand out this season?

Kayode has been recognized for his athleticism, directness, and defensive solidity, making him one of the standout performers in his position.

Why was Kayode overlooked for Italy's World Cup play-off squad?

Despite his strong performances, Kayode's exclusion from Italy's World Cup play-off squad has raised questions among fans and analysts regarding the selection choices made by coach Gennaro Gattuso.