Kayode could be Italy’s most expensive debutant, but isn’t expected to start vs. Belgium

Michael Kayode could potentially be Italy’s most valuable ever player at the time of their national team debut, but the Brentford right-back is still not expected to start against Belgium in the Nations League on Friday night.

Kayode unlikely to start in Italy vs. Belgium despite rising valuation

Kayode is one of the most valuable players in the Italy national team squad, currently rated at the €40m mark by transfermarkt.co.uk, which is only bettered by established squad members in Sandro Tonali, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, Nicolo Barella, Pio Esposito and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Michael Kayode of Brentford celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Igor Thiago during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Kayode, however, is still waiting for his first appearance for the senior Italy side, despite his impressive performances in the Premier League with Brentford over the last 12 months.

The former Fiorentina full-back, 22, has 10 caps for the Italy U21s side, but hadn’t even been called up to the senior squad before September, let alone given his debut.

With his current €40m valuation, Kayode would become the second-most valuable Italian player ever at the time of their national team debut if he were to feature against Belgium on Friday.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Michael Kayode of Brentford reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Chelsea FC at Gtech Community Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Only Alessandro Bastoni, who was valued at €45m at the time of his Nazionale debut in 2020, was worth more on the date of their first Italy cap.

There had been hope from many supporters that Kayode would be brought in for his full Italy debut against Belgium on Friday night, especially given that Chelsea’s Marco Palestra has been left at home due to injury, however, according to practically every major outlet in Italy on Thursday, Kayode is unlikely to be thrown into Mancini’s starting line-up.

EMPOLI – MARCH 26: Jeff Ekhator of Italy U21 celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal with Michael Kayode and Luca Kaleosho during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match against North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Instead, the likes of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Corriere dello Sport, Sky Sport Italia and numerous others predict that Giovanni Di Lorenzo will start at right-back in a back four.

Most outlets in Italy agree on Mancini’s probable back four: That it will be Di Lorenzo on the left, Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori on the left, with Gianluca Mancini and Diego Coppola at centre-back.

The aforementioned Bastoni is suspended and his Inter teammate Federico Dimarco withdrew from the squad due to injury earlier this week.