OPINION
The more brilliantly-timed late winners Kemar Roofe scores, the greater his negotiating power when he finally sits down to discuss a new contract with Leeds United.
Quite when that will precisely be is something of a mystery, even though the forward has developed into one of the most potent spearheads in the Championship this season.
Roofe’s current deal expires in the summer of 2020 and his wages are reportedly well below the club’s top earners.
Yet, he is emerging as the talisman of Marcelo Bielsa’s wonderfully entertaining, table-topping side, who have won seven matches on the bounce and are brilliantly placed to secure automatic promotion.
The Leeds hierarchy are playing a dangerous game over the future of a player who will enter the final 12 months of his current agreement at the enf of the season.
“Contract wise, I still haven’t heard anything. I am just playing my football and seeing what happens,” the 25-year-old the Yorkshire Evening Post last weekend.
This shock revelation of new contract talks seemed daft and short-sighted from Leeds, then. Three miraculous stoppage-time goals, two of which were barely believable final-second winners, later and United have a major problem on their hands.
Roofe has entered the territory of his former teammate Chris Wood of two seasons ago, when his performances have made him the first name on the Leeds team sheet and the Premier League big boys are starting to take serious interest.
Why wouldn’t they? The former Oxford United attacker has reached new heights under Bielsa’s shrewd guidance and 13 goals from 18 league appearances this season place him equal third in the division’s top scorers.
His all-round game has massively improved, with his mobility, work-rate and hold-up play as good as anyone in the Championship.
Leeds have a major asset on their hands, and need to pay him what he’s worth, or risk losing him next summer.