Why Chelsea should make a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey

According to the Express, Chelsea had sent scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey in action as he came off the bench and scored in the 3-1 victory over Rangers in the Europa League last week.

Leon Bailey, 22, has seemingly wrapped up the last-16 tie very late at Ibrox by curling an excellent effort past Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

The report adds that Frank Lampard’s Blues are weighing up an £85m move for the Jamaican after being impressed with how the winger fared against Steven Gerrard’s side, but they could face competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Considering Chelsea didn’t sign any players in the last two transfer windows coupled with Eden Hazard’s departure to Real Madrid last summer, Frank Lampard has done a top job at the club.

After failing to sign a player during the January transfer window, the Blues have started planning for the next season by signing Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. While Ziyech will add value to Frank Lampard’s attacking ranks, having produced 8 goals and 21 assists in 35 matches across all competitions this season, the Londoners must lookout for a winger in the summer.

Pedro and Willian are out of contract at the end of the season and the duo could leave Stamford Bridge. (h/t The Sun) Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi have endured injury-hit campaigns, which has actually exposed Lampard’s lack of options in the wide department. Keeping that in mind, Chelsea must do everything in their powers to sign Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen.

Bailey started his career in Belgium with Genk before moving to Germany three years ago. In the 2017/18 campaign, he scored 12 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for Leverkusen. His productivity decreased last term as he managed only five goals in 39 games.

The Jamaican has had an injury-hit 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign, although he has weighed in with seven goals and one assist in 22 appearances across all competitions.

A right-winger by trade, the 22-year-old is also adept playing on the left or through the middle as a false nine. This would benefit Lampard, who can change his game plan accordingly. Bailey would be a smart addition to Lampard’s side, given his record for Leverkusen.

Read more

• Why Chelsea should sign Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana in the summer
• Why Chelsea must make a move for AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli
• Why Chelsea must make a summer swoop for Man United’s Angel Gomes

Verdict

Lampard has built his Chelsea side this season around younger players like Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi. That makes Bailey a perfect fit at Stamford Bridge and he could unlock his true potential under the watchful eyes of Lampard.

Having already announced the signing of Ziyech, the Blues would be wise to invest on the exciting Bailey in the summer transfer window.