Alan Shearer names Roberts in TOTW after Leeds draw v Chelsea
Alan Shearer has named Tyler Roberts in his Premier League team of the week after Leeds United drew 0-0 with Chelsea at Elland Road on Saturday.
Roberts, 22, has found himself often criticised for his performances in a Leeds shirt this season but the Wales international arguably had his best Premier League outing versus Chelsea at the weekend.
Although the attacking midfielder didn’t score, stats by Wyscout show that he completed all three of his dribbles and found a team-mate with two of his three passes into the penalty area.
On Tuesday, the Premier League’s official Twitter account showed Shearer’s team of the week and it included Roberts, as well as Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, from the goalless draw.
Picking up pace amid speculation
Roberts was linked with a move away from Elland Road in the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, Bournemouth were eyeing the former West Brom player after failing to start that many Premier League matches in the first half of the season.
Roberts has started to play more regularly as of late due to injuries.
He’s started all of Leeds’ last five league fixtures but his worrying performances led to The Athletic’s Phil Hay suggesting that the Welsh ace would have to pick up his form if he wanted to stay put at Elland Road.
Roberts has definitely done that and at the weekend he showcased that he’s still worth putting faith in with a good display against Chelsea, whose defence has become a force to be reckoned with since Thomas Tuchel took charge.
Roberts is only 22-years-old, a lot of fans forget that.
He’s had injury issues and has never been a first pick at Leeds but whenever he has played, he’s not shown himself to be someone who’s miles and miles away from the first-team. He’s always been there or thereabouts.
That might not be good enough going forward with Leeds aiming to stamp their authority in England’s top-flight.
But at least if Roberts is moved on in the summer, he might fetch a decent transfer fee.
In other Leeds United news, this young striker has headed to Thorp Arch for a Leeds trial.