Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey has revealed his dream of joining one of the Premier League’s biggest sides, naming Arsenal and Chelsea as potential destinations.
Bailey has been in sensational form for Villa this season, racing up eight goals and eight assists in 27 league games to earn himself a new contract last month. The 26-year-old put pen to paper on a deal which runs until 2027 and includes the option for a further 12 months.
Just over a month after signing that deal, however, Bailey has now admitted he would be keen to join up with an elite side to help raise the profile of Jamaican football.
“You have big teams in England, they call themselves the big six. The Arsenals and the Chelseas, for example,” Bailey told the Let’s Be Honest podcast.
“It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League and I am right now. Who wouldn’t want to go to a massive team? Especially coming out of Jamaica, do you know how big that is for the country? Especially being who I am as well. It would shine more light and that has been my focus whenever overseas.
“It is to use my platform to be able to shine a light on the country and the young talents. It’s difficult for us Jamaicans to even make it to Europe.”
Bailey, a big-money signing from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, had struggled to set the Premier League alight before the arrival of Unai Emery, who he praised for helping him find his footing at Villa Park.
“I’ve had a lot of discussions with the manager and he always tries to give me confidence,” Bailey said recently. “He always lets me know when I need to step up my game. I’ve been working with the staff members a lot in training about how to get more time on the ball and get more space.
“When I’m on the pitch I feel better in terms of my movement. It was difficult for me when I first came because I didn’t have a pre-season. I kept trying to come back and getting injured.
“Since the manager came in a lot has changed for me. I feel more relaxed and have more energy. It’s really paying off. Details, that’s why things have been going so great.”
