Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard excited by ‘new’ Leon Bailey
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has revealed that he has noticed a change in Leon Bailey and feels that his return will feel like a new signing.
The Jamaica international joined the club in a £25m deal last summer, but injuries have prevented him from making a real impact at Villa Park.
However, the fit-again winger is impressing his manager, and apparently showing a new personality in training that is enticing the Liverpool legend. [Birmingham Mail]
Gerrard said: “He feels like he’s got more confidence and belief in his body and I think that’s important.
“He’s had bad luck since he came to Aston Villa with injuries and hasn’t really been able to get himself in the right physical condition to find his own personal level of consistency.
“I’ve seen a different demeanor in Leon since day one.
“Now, I see a happier, someone that’s been robust throughout the training and coped with the physical demands ever so well.”
The former Rangers manager also welcomed the ex-Bayer Leverkusen winger’s return, likening it to a new addition to the squad.
Gerrard added: “The quality has been there for everyone to see.
“I don’t think his own personal preparation could have gone any better and, if we get the best version of Leon Bailey, it will feel like a new signing for sure because we didn’t feel like we got the best version of him and that was probably down to physical reasons.”
New Leon Bailey?
If Bailey can put his injury problems behind him and maintain fitness going into the new season, he will undoubtedly be a huge asset to the squad.
When he signed for the Villans last summer, he was one of the most electric wingers in the Bundesliga and seen as a real coup for the club.
Fresh off a scintillating season in Germany, where he scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists in 40 games, expectations were high when he arrived in the Midlands.
However, an unfortunate string of injuries, including a thigh problem that kept him out for 10 straight games, limited him to just 18 appearances last season, scoring once and providing two assists.
Aston Villa fans are yet to witness the talismanic Leon Bailey who recorded a spectacular goal contribution rate of a goal or assists every 2.4 games, during his four-year stay in the Bundesliga.
Despite these injury problems, Bailey is healthy again and ready to embark on his sophomore season at Villa Park and after a promising pre-season, the former Genk star will be looking to re-discover his old form.
In other Aston Villa news, Cameron Archer has signed a new five-year deal at the club.