Italian journalists Filippo Biafora and Annalisa Ferrante say Reggae Boy Leon Bailey is a strong addition to the AS Roma squad but will need to perform at a high level consistently if he’s to make an impact for the Serie A club.

Bailey, who is set to be officially unveiled as a Roma player today, arrived in the Italian capital on Tuesday to much fanfare before completing his medical ahead of his season-long loan from English Premier League club Aston Villa. Roma has an option to make the move permanent for £18.9 million after agreeing a £1.7-million loan fee with Villa.

The 28-year-old becomes the club’s second high-profile attacking signing under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Biafora, who writes for Italian newspaper II Tempo, says Bailey can add a much-needed spark to Roma’s front line.

“Bailey is a player who brings a certain dynamism to Roma’s attack, which at times has looked a bit too static,” he tells the Jamaica Observer. “His change of pace and his bursts of acceleration can prove decisive in adding that touch of unpredictability to the attacking phase.”

Ferrante, senior editor and reporter at LaRoma 24 and TeleRadioSterio, says she expects Bailey to thrive under Gasperini’s watch.

“Gasperini knows how to get the best out of attacking wingers and has a track record of turning players into decisive weapons,” she tells the Observer. “If Bailey finds physical consistency and confidence, Gasperini can truly help him reach the level many expected from him at the start of his career.”

Bailey becomes just the second Jamaican-born player to compete in Italy’s top flight, joining striker Trivante Stewart, who played for Salernitana after moving from Mount Pleasant FA in 2023.

Ferrante says the move will make more people open their eyes to Jamaican football.

“It is very rare and very significant,” she says. “Having a Jamaican at a prestigious international club like Roma is a source of pride not only for him but for the entire Jamaican football movement. He can become a role model and open the door for other talents from Jamaica,” she notes.

Though Stewart struggled for game time and goals during Salernitana’s relegation, Biafora doesn’t foresee the same future for Bailey due to his previous high-level experiences.

“Several players coming from the [English] Premier League have performed very well in Serie A,” he says. “It has almost become a pattern to see many of them raising both the level of their teams and their own performances.

“I think this is exactly Roma’s hope in pursuing this move. And in reality, I wouldn’t even call it a gamble, because Bailey is a player who is already well-known, not too old, and still has plenty of room to grow. The real objective here is to bring in a player who can help the team take that step up in quality. In some respects, I would compare it to what Gervinho represented for Roma a few years ago.”

The former Genk and Bayer Leverkusen winger was deemed surplus to requirements at Villa after an underwhelming campaign last season which saw him register just two goals and four assists in 38 games across all competitions.

It was a step down after a standout 2023-24 season where he notched 14 goals and 14 assists in guiding Villa to a top four finish and UEFA Champions League football.

Biafora says Bailey will need to rediscover his old form throughout Roma’s league and UEFA Europa League campaign to be regarded as a success.

“A successful season for him would probably mean coming close to double figures in goals, but more importantly, raising the overall standard of Roma’s attack. At the moment, the team scores too little and creates too few real threats,” he says.

“So beyond the specific numbers of goals and assists, the main objective should be to help the attack become more dangerous — whether that means scoring himself or setting up the centre-forward with assists. That contribution could be even more valuable than just focusing on his personal stats.”

Roma finished fifth in Serie A last season, scoring 56 league goals — the second lowest of the teams that finished in the top 10.

Ferrante says Bailey will have a big task in improving the team’s attack, though admitting it won’t fall on solely his shoulders.

“The burden is significant, but not overwhelming,” she says. “Fans will expect decisive plays and moments of quality from him, especially in key matches. He won’t be the only protagonist, but he was brought in precisely to make the difference, so he will have to take on responsibilities.”

Bailey could make his debut on Saturday when Roma host Bologna.

Annalisa Ferrante, senior editor and reporter for Italian media outlets LaRoma24 and TeleRadioStereo. 

Filippo Biafora, journalist with Italian newspaper II Tempo.