Bailey back at his best

Back in the starting line-up and back among the goals, Leon Bailey is again looking like the player who took German football by storm last season.

Craig Butler, Leon Bailey’s adoptive father and agent, who pointed fingers at his charge’s former coach, stated that the Bayer Leverkusen player is now physically and mentally tougher, after going through his bad patch, which lasted for much of the ongoing Bundesliga this season.

Last Saturday, Bailey showed signs of of his best form, after scoring a superb free-kick goal and earning the man-of-the-match award for his performance in Leverkusen’s dramatic 3-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Bailey, who has only two goals in 26 games this season, netted the equalising goal in the 53rd minute, after Leon Goretzka had given the champions a first-half lead.

Kevin Volland and Lucas Alario added the second and third goals, respectively, to give Leverkusen the win.

Butler believes Bailey’s slump in form was a result of the former coach Heiko Herrlich’s mishandling of the player.

However, he thinks new coach, Peter Bosz, recognises Bailey’s abilities and has given him the playing time he deserves, and the team is reaping the reward.

“His work rate in matches is only matched by his commitment to hard work and development in training. His form never dropped one bit from last year till now. If anything, he is physically and mentally even stronger,” Butler stated.

“A coach (Herrlich) that puts the Bundesliga’s best new player last season and a Bundesliga best 11 awardee on the bench reaped the fruits of the seeds he has sown,” he added. “He is now replaced with a coach (Bosz) who can appreciate Leon’s talent and rewards him with the one thing he needs, playing time,” Butler said.

“Leon is doing well and his goal has been an example of years of technical training,” Butler commented.