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Michael Kayode has had a key role as part of a new-look Brentford side so far this season, and now the defender has revealed the best player he has faced since arriving in the Premier League.The right-back joined on a permanent deal from Serie A giants Fiorentina in the summer, having spent the second half of last season on loan with The Bees.
Brentford are currently 13th in the Premier League table after eight games.
Kayode has identified Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as the best player he has faced since arriving in England.
“The best player I have faced in the Premier League, I don’t know, I would say probably Erling Haaland,” he said.
Asked if he is excited to show what he can do against the best players in the world, he replied: “100%.”
Kayode was speaking as he visited a West London primary school to highlight the power of education in tackling discrimination and help pupils understand the importance of diversity ahead of the club’s No Room For Racism fixture.
As part of Brentford’s work in local schools, children have been writing poetry on the theme of ‘Greatness Comes From Everywhere’. Hundreds of children submitted poems and Kayode was one of the judges selecting and presenting the club’s Writing Stars winner.
Kayode also revealed that he looks up to Premier League right-backs Kyle Walker and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
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However, Kayode’s footballing hero is Brazilian defender Cafu, who made his name with Roma and AC Milan during the glory days of Serie A in the late 90s and early 2000s.
“I can’t say [I am] similar, but I love a player like Kyle Walker and also I really like Aaron Wan-Bissaka,” he said.
“But I think my favourite right-back is Cafu.”
Brentford capped a solid start to the season by beating strugglers West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium on Monday night.They can now look ahead to a clash with Liverpool on Saturday night – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – with the defending Premier League champions having halted a run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions with a win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Kayode also highlighted the key differences between Serie A and the Premier League, noting that the physical demands are significantly higher in England.
“There are a lot of differences [between Serie A and the Premier League],” he said.
“I think Serie A is more tactical. The Premier League is more transitional. That is the big difference.
“Both are hard, I think we just run a lot in the Premier League, but Serie A is difficult too.”
Keith Andrews replaced Thomas Frank as Brentford boss in the summer after the Dane opted to join Tottenham.
Kayode has praised his new manager’s impact on the club.
“I think we have started very well,” he added. “I am so happy to work with Keith.”
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