Former Scotland defender Alan Hutton admits Tyler Roberts’ future will ultimately be decided by how much first-team football he is playing.
The Lowdown: Up-and-down season for Roberts
Leeds United have enjoyed a superb season back in the Premier League, picking up some memorable wins and playing scintillating football along the way.
While Marcelo Bielsa has had some undoubted key performers, someone who has been on the periphery a little is Roberts.
The 13-time capped Wales international has only managed 14 starts in the league, scoring once and registering two assists in that time.
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The Latest: Pundit admits Roberts could leave
Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton believes Roberts’ future is up in the air because of a lack of playing time, following rumoured interest from Newcastle United and suggestion that he has rejected a new deal:
“The contract is such a big thing. The club have obviously made an offer. Does he see that as the right one for him?
“Is he going to get enough game time? I think a lot of it comes down to that as a player at that age. You want to play football.
“If you’re going to be in and out, or they can’t guarantee you’re going to be a starter next season, it doesn’t surprise me that you’re looking at your options.
“It’s only natural as a football player, you want to play football. You don’t want to sit on the bench and play 12 games a season. You want to play 30-plus games a season.
“If Newcastle can offer him that then it will be something that he’ll be thinking very, very hard about. They’re obviously in the Premier League, It will be a difficult decision for him.
“I think it’ll come down to the games because I’m sure Leeds and Newcastle will offer him a decent contract. It comes down to where you’re going to play the most.”
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The Verdict: Keep hold of him
While Roberts may not be one of Bielsa’s undisputed key players at the moment, it would be a huge shame to move him on at this stage in his career.
At 22, the attacking midfielder has so much potential, already making 81 appearances for the Whites, showcasing that Bielsa clearly sees a player in there.
It would be understandable if Roberts sees his future elsewhere, however – in many ways, it is admirable if he wants to play more football, rather than be a squad player for the foreseeable future.
Leeds fans could find it hard to begrudge him a move, but he is someone who still has so much to offer at Elland Road.
In other news, Leeds have reportedly scheduled talks with one player over a summer move. Find out who it is here.