Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard insists the club is anxiously waiting to see the best of Jamaica forward Leon Bailey after a stop-start beginning to life at Villa Park.
The 24-year-old returned to English Premier League action last weekend, with a 10-minute spell against Newcastle, following a lengthy lay-off.
The player had been out of action since December after damaging his thigh muscle during the first half against Manchester City. At the time, Bailey was finding himself sidelined for the second time with the same injury after damaging the muscle against Everton in September.
His exhilarating cameo against the Toffees, however, showed glimpses of what the player could bring to the table. Gerrard took notice.
“I remember he came off the bench against Everton – I was watching the game on TV – and he lifted the stadium up,” the coach said.
“He scored a wonderful goal,” he added
“Everyone is waiting for him. The owners, the board, the staff, the players.
“We’re all waiting for Leon to really burst onto the scene, stay healthy and find his best level.
“We have signed a talent who has produced at his previous clubs, and he’s shown flashes.
“Leon’s focus has to be on staying fit, getting himself in the best physical condition, and allowing his talent to flourish.”
Netherlands 2-2 Germany: Rivals play out breathless Nations League draw
The Netherlands and Germany played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their second Nations League Group A3 fixture in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
Goals from Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich saw Julian Nagelsmann's side fight back to lead after they fell behind to Tijjani Reijnders' second-minute strike, only for Denzel Dumfries to level five minutes into the second half and keep the sides locked level on four points.
Ronald Koeman's side did suffer a major injury blow late in the first half, though, with Manchester City's Nathan Ake substituted after sustaining an apparent foot injury.
The hosts made a lightning start at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ryan Gravenberch sliding a neat throughball into the path of Reijnders, who made no mistake when one-on-one with Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The Oranje twice went close to extending their lead, Dumfries somehow heading Xavi Simons' free-kick wide before the latter was denied by Ter Stegen, and they were punished for their wastefulness after 38 minutes.
Florian Wirtz saw a close-range effort parried by Bart Verbruggen, but Undav was ideally placed to volley home the rebound, shortly before Ake was carried off on a stretcher following a clash with Kimmich.
Dumfries made a vital intervention to deny David Raum as the momentum swung in Germany's favour, and they took the lead three minutes into first-half stoppage time.
Undav was involved again, steering Raum's cross back into the centre for captain Kimmich to lash home from close range.
The Netherlands, however, refused to lie down and started the second half almost as quickly as they began the first. Brian Brobbey was played in behind by Simons, and his cutback was turned home by Dumfries to make it 2-2 after 50 minutes.
Ter Stegen kept out Gravenberch's long-range strike, while Raum sent a header over from a good position, but neither side could find a winner.
Data Debrief: Undav's first impression
Undav has looked a player reborn since he swapped Brighton for Stuttgart, initially on loan, ahead of the 2023-24 season.
He scored 18 goals in 30 Bundesliga appearances as Sebastian Hoeness' men stunned Bayern Munich to finish as runners-up last term, and on Tuesday, he was rewarded with his first Germany start.
Undav repaid Nagelsmann's faith, becoming the first player to both score and assist on their first start for Germany since Amin Younes in 2017, versus San Marino.
England 2-0 Finland: Golden boy Kane marks 100th cap in style
Harry Kane scored twice on his 100th England appearance to propel Lee Carsley's team to a 2-0 Nations League win over Finland.
Kane, who donned a pair of golden boots, was celebrated before kick-off at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, as he became the 10th player to feature in 100 matches for the Three Lions.
And after seeing a diving header disallowed for offside in the first half, Kane ensured he marked his milestone appearance in style with a second-half double.
Having been denied by the excellent Lukas Hradecky, who made six saves in total to keep Finland in the contest amid England's domination, Kane finally broke the deadlock with a wonderful strike that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar in the 57th minute.
Ronaldo backs Mbappe to beat Haaland and Bellingham to Ballon d'Or
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Kylian Mbappe to win the award this year, tipping Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal to provide his competition.
Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo, like his great rival Lionel Messi, was left off the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 edition of world football's most prestigious individual honour.
It is the first time since 2003 that neither man has featured among the nominees, having shared the prize among them exclusively from Ronaldo's first triumph in 2008 to his last in 2017.
With a first-time winner guaranteed, Ronaldo has provided his backing to Mbappe, who finished third in the voting last year, behind Messi and Haaland.
Mbappe scored 44 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions throughout his final season with Paris Saint-Germain in 2023-24, before completing his long-awaited move to Real Madrid.
Ronaldo – Madrid's all-time leading scorer with 450 goals for Los Blancos – believes everything at the Santiago Bernabeu is set up to make Mbappe's tenure a success.
"I think he will do well. The structure of the club... it's nice, it's good," Ronaldo said on his YouTube channel.
"They have a great coach and the president, Florentino [Perez], who has been there many, many years.
"I think it won't be a big problem because of his talent. Mbappe can be the next Ballon d'Or winner. Him, [Erling] Haaland, [Jude] Bellingham or Lamine [Yamal]."
Madrid won their record-extending 15th European Cup/Champions League crown last season, coming through dramatic ties against Manchester City and Bayern Munich before beating Borussia Dortmund in the final.
Their knockout success has led some to suggest fortune tends to favour them in the big moments, but Ronaldo says they make their own luck.
"Madrid is the kind of team where they don't rush under pressure. People say they're lucky in the Champions League," he said.
"No, they are not lucky. They're prepared for this kind of moment. The Bernabeu has that different aura.
"Now, if you say that Madrid are going to be better or not, we don't know. Mbappe is there now, I think Madrid will stay strong, but I don't know if they will be better than last year. Only God knows."
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