Leeds United expert verdict on Tyler Roberts pinpoints textbook Birmingham City signing

Birmingham City have tended to sign players with a point to prove since John Eustace became head coach.

Partly because Eustace likes players who are hungry to progress, but mainly because Blues haven’t been in the position to purchase the finished article. With Financial Fair Play issues to navigate this summer, Blues are still in the market for rough diamonds who can be refined on the training fields.

Though extremely talented and a full Wales international, Tyler Roberts falls into that category. He showed enough talent at Leeds United to become a favourite of Marcelo Bielsa, but injuries and inconsistencies have slowed his progress.

Queens Park Rangers were in the promotion mix and flying when Roberts was in their team last season. Their campaign began to fall apart when the 24-year-old suffered injury in November. Roberts returned in December and netted an important brace against Reading in January, but his season was over by the end of the month.

Leeds are ready to part ways with Roberts, five and a half years after they paid West Bromwich Albion £2.5million for him. We caught up with LeedsLive’s Beren Cross to get the lowdown on the forward…

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How come Tyler Roberts’ time at Leeds has come to an end?

“Roberts has just one year left on his contract and he hasn’t made a consistently strong impression on the first team since early 2020. He went away on loan last season and didn’t do anything with Queens Park Rangers to warrant a place in a Leeds squad which hopes to challenge for promotion next term.”

How was Roberts viewed by Leeds supporters during his time at Elland Road?

“Unfortunately for Roberts, he was often seen as a player given too many opportunities and had too much faith put in him. The returns were rarely seen on the pitch to justify the minutes he was given under Marcelo Bielsa, particularly in the top flight.

“Bielsa’s faith in Roberts was absolute and when the likes of Patrick Bamford needed a stand-in, the Wales international would often be where the Argentine turned. The likes of livewire forward Joe Gelhardt were blocked from opportunities by the poorly-performing Roberts and that grated for some fans.

“Injuries did hurt the 24-year-old and he did have his moments of class. In those first two seasons under Bielsa between 2018 and 2020, Roberts did impress at points, to the extent he was seen as a genuine threat to Bamford’s starter status before Covid hit football in March 2020.”

What are Roberts’ strengths and weaknesses?

“On his day, Roberts does have an eye for a pass between the lines which can unlock teammates in behind. He’s also able to dribble past opponents when he’s on his game. His movement off the ball can be clever.

“Unfortunately, he is very injury prone and inconsistent. Finishing hasn’t always been easy for him, as illustrated in his statistics. His decision-making can let him down too, which memorably drew frustration from the terraces. His pace and physical attributes never stood out as great strengths either.”

Do you think he will be a hit at Birmingham City?

“Staying fit and available for 80 or 90 per cent of the season has to be his first priority. If he can do that and get some consistent minutes then he is still young enough to unlock those high moments of 2018 to 2020.

“There is little doubt Premier League football was a big ask for him and perhaps a step too far, which is why that Championship opportunity with QPR was so important last season. Sadly, he did not take it and it does mean he is right up against it to defy the odds with Birmingham.”

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