Since being brought in from KRC Genk in the winter of 2017, Leon Bailey has regularly filled in the lineup of the core players for Bayer Leverkusen. He has recorded 122 appearances, with 24 goals and 19 assists. Slowly the 23-year-old winger became the backbone of Die Werkself’s front line.
As if being a core player wasn’t enough, Bailey was forced to develop more rapidly after Kai Havertz left for Chelsea and Kevin Volland who anchored at AS Monaco. Together with new partners Lucas Alario and Mousaa Diaby, Bailey quickly proved to supporters and coach Peter Bosz that he can play a big role up front at Leverkusen.
Missed the first week due to quarantine and only played 23 minutes in the next two Bundesliga matches, proving just how dependent Leverkusen is on Bailey. Leverkusen always drew in the first three games when Bailey did not play from the early minutes. However, when Bailey started against Mainz and Augsburg, Leverkusen always won, and Bailey scored an assist in every game.
Bailey has proven himself that he can make up for the departure of Havertz and Volland. The Jamaican national team player also contributed two assists in Leverkusen’s 6-2 win over Nice in the inaugural match of the Europa League group stage.
Bailey needs just two more assists to match his personal season record at Leverkusen. In fact, the record of four assists from three appearances as a starter this season has exceeded last season’s record.
“Leon had a difficult time, last season and the beginning of this season. But I see him getting better every game – physically, but also in terms of football, “said Peter Bosz.
“In the match against Nice, the first goal of the game he created for Nadiem Amiri was great. He also played really well today [vs Augsburg]. He develops in every game, “concluded the coach.
From Cassava Piece to Leverkusen
Bailey grew up in a harsh environment: Cassava Piece, an area in Kingston, Jamaica. Poverty and crime are common problems in the region. Luckily, Bailey met important figures when he decided to enter the Phoenix All-Stars academy. One of them is Kyle Butler, his half brother.
“He wasn’t great at school. I mean when I met Bailey, he had trouble reading, so I helped him to read. As time went on, he did everything well, “recalled Butler.
However, Craig Butler was a pivot figure in Bailey’s football career. He is the adoptive father and owner of the Phoenix All-Stars academy. According to Butler, if he doesn’t enter the academy in Cassava Piece, Bailey can easily become a gangster or drug dealer.
“He was the first person who made me think about football seriously at a different level. Especially when I was very young, maybe 9 years. And I think for someone who knows what they want at such a young age, that’s just crazy, “said Bailey.
At the age of 12, Leon, Kyle and Craig seek their fortune in Europe. Their first labuhan was Austria. Bailey joined the Liefering youth team in 2011. He was linked with Genk and Ajax Amsterdam, but failed to materialize because FIFA rules prohibited European clubs from signing players under the age of 18 who were not from the European Union.
Four years later, Bailey made a brief stop in Slovakia with AS Trencin before signing his first professional contract with KRC Genk. Bailey contributed 36 goals for Genk in 77 appearances over two seasons. The note was enough to convince the director of Bayer Leverkusen, Rudi Voeller, to pay 20 million euros.
“He has incredible speed, is very skillful with the ball, and he will give further impetus to our attack department. We are sure he will be an injection of strength for us, “explained Voeller.
If he can keep fit properly, Bailey can show his best potential this season. What’s more, Bailey has earned Peter Bosz’s trust. Now, it all depends on the player who is usually called “Cipphy” by Craig Butler.
Bailey will return to strengthen Leverkusen in the Bundesliga match week 6 against Freiburg on Sunday. On three occasions against Freiburg in the Bundesliga, Bailey scored one goal and one assist.
ASL
