Why Tottenham signing Leon Bailey would be a shrewd piece of business
According to a report from the Daily Mail back in December last year, Tottenham were among several Premier League clubs scouting Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey with a view to a potential swoop in the January window.
Arsenal, Everton and Man United were also believed to be keeping tabs on the 23-year-old Jamaican international, who has been in blistering form in the Bundesliga this season.
However, none of the clubs made an approach for Bailey during the mid-season trading period, despite widespread speculation of interest from the Premier League.
Tottenham need to reshape their attack
Tottenham have been among the best scoring teams in the Premier League so far this season. Jose Mourinho’s side have bagged 34 goals in 19 games, which makes for some impressive readings on paper. However, those goals haven’t been as evenly spread out as they would have liked.
Harry Kane has once again been the key driving force up top for the Lilywhites, contributing with an eye-watering 12 goals and 11 assists in 19 games. The England captain has been well complemented by Heung-min Son, who has plundered 12 goals and 6 assists in the PL so far. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Going by the numbers, Kane and Son have accounted for more than 70% of Tottenham’s goals in the Premier League this season. That clearly underlines the lack of impact from the other attacking players. Steven Bergwijn has been a regular fixture in the club’s forward line but is yet to find the net.
With Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura also offering very little, it’s a no-brainer that Mourinho should have one eye on freshening up his wide attacking options next summer. Gareth Bale is due to return to Real Madrid at the end of the season, which should further make room for a new arrival.
Bailey an ideal signing for Tottenham?
Suffice to say, Tottenham need to reduce the dependence on the likes of Kane and Son by looking for other outlets to deliver the goods in front of goal. That would put them in good stead to launch a real bid for the Premier League title with Mourinho’s side well-stocked in other departments.
Putting things into context, Leon Bailey ticks plenty of boxes to come through the door as a marquee addition to Tottenham’s attack next summer. The Jamaican has enjoyed an impressive rise at Bayer Leverkusen in Germany over the past few seasons, having started his career with Belgian giants Genk.
The 23-year-old has hit great heights at the Bay Arena this term, registering 9 goals and 8 assists in 25 appearances across all competitions so far. Bailey has been one of the cornerstones of Leverkusen’s march to 4th in the Bundesliga standings as Peter Bosz’s side aim for a return to the Champions League.
The Jamaican’s overall tally of 33 goals and 23 assists in 141 appearances for Leverkusen clearly underlines his pedigree as a wide attacker.
Essentially a left-footed right-winger by trade, Bailey is capable of operating anywhere across the forward line. Hence, his inclusion in the mix would offer Mourinho more depth and quality in the final third.
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Verdict
Lamela is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the end of the campaign while Bale looks set for a return to Madrid after struggling for playtime under Mourinho. Leon Bailey, to that end, would be an excellent signing for Tottenham with an eye on the future.
The 23-year-old is already playing at a very high level in the Bundesliga and still has plenty of room for development. That should make him well worth a significant outlay for the North Londoners in the summer market.
