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Scouting report: Leon Bailey, the Jamaican youngster in Napoli’s agenda
The versatile striker has eight goals and seven assists in 24 games in all competitions with the Belgian side and netted the first two goals in European competitions last September with a brace against Rapid Wien.
In the previous campaign, Bailey was awarded as the best young players in the Belgian league an award that had also been given to the likes of Vincent Kompany, Axel Witsel and Youri Tielmans back in the days.
Bailey grew up in the suburb of Cassava Piece in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, playing for the local side Phoenix All Stars Football Academy that belongs to his agent adoptive father Craig Butler. He moved to Ajax before joining Genk that offered the talented striker his first professional contract last year.
Bailey made his Genk senior debut last term against Sint-Truiden, scoring his first goal with senior Genk team three months later. He ended the last campaign with six goals scored and nine assists registered.
As for his national team, he has already made debut with the U-23 national team of Jamaica and is all set for his first senior call up, even if Bailey still hopes to get a Belgium national team call up. Meantime Napoli have made contacts to sign him and could make him become the next starlet shining in Serie A.
Alessandro Di Gioia, adapted by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
