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Higginbotham impressed by Roberts adaptation at Leeds

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Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has revealed he is expecting big things from Leeds United’s Tyler Roberts for both club and country after being moved into a new position under Marcelo Bielsa.

The 20-year-old was signed from West Brom in the January transfer window back in 2018 as a centre forward and after featuring fleetingly up front has seen himself moved further back the pitch as both a winger and a midfielder.

Speaking of the Welsh international, Higginbotham is excited about the prospect of his tactical switch and expects that he will continue to impress, as well as add goals to his game, no matter who he is playing for.

He told Sky Sports News’ Match Centre (21/03, 10:24): “I think that (his change in position) could work well with Wales because he’s near enough playing in a number 10 role. He will play in that central midfield position but he has license to get forward.

“Against West Brom recently he got two assists and he seems to have adjusted fantastically well to that position. Because he’s a centre forward, because he’s got to drop deep at times it just suits him now that instead of having to drop deep, he can start a little bit deeper himself.

“The beauty of him, when he’s picking up the ball he’s facing the opposition goal – he doesn’t just pass the ball and stops, he passes the ball and gets going again. He’s creating assists and the goals will come, I don’t think there’s any question about that.”

Opinion

Big claims from Higginbotham but he has a good point. Roberts has not taken to his new position like a fish to water – it is clear he still lacks positional sense and experience – but the more he plays there the better he will become. His new position, which is as someone operating between the midfield and front line, suits his style of play, the Welsh international with a desire to have the ball at his feet and running at opponents. It is quite easy to forget just how young he is and so he has plenty of time to make the role his own both at Elland Road and with Wales. All he needs to add to his game are goals and as a former centre forward that should not come as too much of a challenge. All in all his move deeper on the pitch, which was partly due to an injury crisis at Elland Road, has done him the world of good. 

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