OPINION
Leeds United’s transfer policy in the last 16 months has been roundly castigated by supporters highlighting the lack of ambition and over-emphasis on untested and cheap imports.
Recruitment chief Victor Orta, tasked with sourcing unpolished gems by owner Andrea Radrizzani, has been the scapegoat for the club’s mixed success in trading players.
But a new Yorkshire Evening Post report explains how Orta-led Leeds were one step ahead with their pursuit of Tyler Roberts that came to fruition in January.
It is said that United “jumped the queue” to seal a deal worth £2.5million rising to a potential £4million at a time when “several clubs were lining up to sign Roberts for a compensation fee” when his contract was due to expire at West Brom six months later.
Roberts’ injury problems in the second half of last season led many to question the signing of the 19-year-old.
But the forward proved with his two-goal display on Tuesday night in only his second league appearance for the Yorkshire giants that he is a player of immense potential.
Anyone, not just United supporters, who appreciates the art of goalscoring would have been bowled over by the movement, touch and decisiveness for the brilliantly-taken lob that put Leeds 2-0 up and then the right-place-at-the-right-time header emphatically finished to secure a 3-0 triumph for the hosts.
Leeds have a serious talent on their hands and one who has convinced Marcelo Bielsa that his best position is as the attack spearhead and not on the right flank as the Argentine initially thought.
Credit to Roberts for rising to the occasion and for the manager for putting his faith in the teenager and not bolstering the attack in the summer window once the Patrick Bamford deal was done.
But heaps of praise must also go to Orta and the recruitment team. Leeds have a gem on their hands after the proactive winter window move.