OPINION
When Leeds United fans saw that they had secured the capture of West Brom youngster Tyler Roberts in January, there would have been high hopes that he could fire their side to a respectable finish in the Championship.
Six months on, and the 19-year-old striker is yet to make an appearance for his new side.
The former Baggies prospect was dealt a major injury blow just days after arriving at Elland Road, picking up a broken shin bone in training and being ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Signed while Thomas Christiansen was still in charge, he watched Paul Heckingbottom’s reign come and go from the sidelines, and now he has returned to action, as pictured on his Twitter account, under Marcelo Bielsa.
https://twitter.com/official_tyro/status/1013871554822918149
The key update that he is closing in on full fitness is great news for the player himself, but he faces a fierce battle to force his way into the reckoning under the Argentine boss.
Without any senior game time last season, the new man in charge will only have his training displays to go on, and with his injury seemingly still not cleared up, it could be some time before he gets to full fitness.
With Bielsa evidently needing attacking reinforcements, Roberts could find himself down the pecking order before he has even been given the chance to shine, and needs to force his manager’s hand as to keeping faith in him over bringing in too many new recruits.
At 19, time is on his side, but that will not stop the former Lille boss from axing him if he does not live up to expectations.
A tough fight lies in wait for Roberts, and he knows his destiny lies at his feet.