Journalist Conor McGilligan has claimed that former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa ‘loved’ Tyler Roberts.
In February, the Argentine was sacked after a thrilling spell in charge during which he took the club back into the Premier League. With Jesse Marsch now in charge, it will be interesting to see what he does with the squad he has inherited from Bielsa.
One of the players who has suffered much criticism over the past season or so is Roberts. And while it remains unclear as to how highly Marsch rates him, McGilligan has asserted that his former manager really appreciated the attacker’s ability.
Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, he said: “Bielsa clearly loved him. I genuinely believe that as well, I think Bielsa loved his ability to get the ball on the back foot and get the ball from the midfield into the attack very, very quick.
“I think his touches and his ability to get in that CAM spot – and his output’s not unbelievable – but his ability to link, if you get what I mean, just that midfield and attack, was always quite good, and I think Bielsa liked that.
“We didn’t have many players like that after Pablo [Hernandez] went. So I think Tyler was that player who Bielsa sort of saw as that role.”
TIF Thoughts on Tyler Roberts and Leeds…
Up to this point, Marsch has played Roberts just once due to suffering a hamstring injury. Across the whole season, though, he has struggled, scoring just one goal in 23 league outings.
Still, if McGilligan is correct in his belief that Bielsa truly rated him, perhaps Marsch ought to be patient and keep faith in the player. After all, he is still only just 23 years of age.
Will Tyler Roberts get a chance under Jesse Marsch?
Yes
No
No doubt, the new manager will want to make the squad feel more like his own this summer with a few sales and a few incomings, too. It will be interesting to see whether he hangs on to Roberts and shares Bielsa’s supposed opinion on him or if he’s willing to let him go.
With a contract running till the summer 0f 2024, perhaps the forward will have one more season to prove his value.
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