One to Watch: Logan Bailly of Borussia Monchengladbach

Belgium football is on the rise. A new generation is rising up to make new memories since the days of Enzo Scifo and Marc Wilmots. In the next few years the names of Steven Defour, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, and Moussa Dembele will likely become as well known as Marouane Fellaini has become.

Another name to add to that list is 23-year-old Belgium keeper Logan Bailly, who moved in the January transfer window from his boyhood club Genk to German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

Bailly’s reputation came to the fore during Belgium’s unexpected run to the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics, where he was earmarked as being the long-term shot-stopper for the national team. If his debut performances for Gladbach are anything to go by, it won't be too long before Bailly again moves on to pastures new to play his club football.

Bailly’s career has hit a crossroads in which the keeper is looking to convert his much-hyped potential into proving himself as the real deal. Often characterised as a showman, Bailly’s theatrics have sometimes been construed as evidencing a lack of professionalism. He has a rap sheet to boot, including stories of driving too fast, drinking too much, and generally indulging too much in the good life.

But, provided he is nurtured in the correct fashion, Bailly stands to be one of the best custodians of his generation.

With lightning reflexes, as well as an excellent sense for positioning, Bailly is known for being good in the air and having the requisite safe pair of hands.

These qualities were evident in Gladbach’s impressive one-all draw at Werder Bremen last weekend in the Bundesliga in which the keeper made half a dozen point-blank saves that kept his team in the match.

Highlights of Logan Bailly’s wonderful exhibition of goalkeeping against Werder can be seen here.