The new wave of Italian full-backs already looks ready for the Premier League

Michael Kayode’s throw-ins have already become a thing in England. The Brentford right-back and Italy U21 international, born in 2004, has won over English fans with his long-range missiles and high-level performances — like his recent MVP outing against Liverpool (2 key passes, 2/2 successful dribbles, 100% duels won). Brentford believed in him, signing him permanently from Fiorentina for around €17.5 million. Why Kayode is built for the Premier League: he may lack refined technique, but he compensates with power, pace, and intensity. In short, he’s a natural engine. He’s not the first, and he won’t be the last.

The patient zero of this new wave of Italian full-backs “made for the Premier League” is probably Destiny Udogie — who feels like a veteran already, yet is only a 2002-born. Udogie, currently sidelined with a knee injury, is a regular starter at Tottenham, though his minutes with the national team remain limited due to Dimarco’s presence. But the “old” generation (Dimarco, Cambiaso, Di Lorenzo…)—defined more by tactical and technical precision than by age—may soon fade away.

Alongside Kayode and Udogie, another name is rising in Serie A: Marco Palestra, a 2005-born currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta. Palestra isn’t just fast and well-built (186 cm tall), he’s two-footed and currently leads all Italian players in completed dribbles (12 in 7 games). Italy is becoming the leading producer of full-backs built for the Premier League. Think of 2006-born Niccolò Fortini (Fiorentina) or 2005-born Davide Bartesaghi (Milan) and Riyad Idrissi (Cagliari).

Football evolves, and so do its protagonists. The age of complete players — strong, athletic, and relentless — is coming fast. Italy has started on the flanks. The rest, hopefully, will follow.