This Premier League star set to join Chelsea
Leon Bailey admits he would find it hard to turn down a move to ‘massive clubs’ Arsenal or Chelsea despite being ‘happy and comfortable’ at Aston Villa.
The 26-year-old winger has enjoyed his best season to date at Villa Park, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists in 40 appearances in all competitions.
His form has helped Unai Emery’s side mount a surprising top-four challenge and reach the latter stages of the Europa Conference League, with Villa facing French side Lille in the quarter-finals.
Bailey is settled in Birmingham and ‘really focused’ on performing for Aston Villa but admits the chance to move to a ‘big six’ club would be too great to resist.
‘You have big teams in England, they call themselves the big six,’ the Jamaica international said on the Let’s Be Honest podcast. ‘The Arsenal’s and the Chelsea’s.
‘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 light on the country and the young talents. It’s difficult for us Jamaicans to even dream about making it to Europe.
‘I don’t know how to answer that question but I’d just have to see in the moment. I’ve really been enjoying my football and I’m really focused on Aston Villa, having one of the best seasons of my career.
‘You never know in football but I’m comfortable and happy where I’m at. I just focus on one thing at a time.’
Despite being a member of the traditional ‘Big Six’, Chelsea have slipped way down the pecking order recently and currently find themselves just 11th in the Premier League.
The Blues are the same amount of points above bottom-placed Sheffield United than they are below Arsenal at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are top on goal difference but will have to see off Liverpool and Manchester City during the run-in to clinch their first title in 20 years.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, remain fourth despite picking up just one point from their last two games before the international break. They resume their bid for Champions League football on March 30 against rivals Wolves.
