Leeds United: Carlton Palmer blasts Marc Roca as surprising Barcelona transfer links emerge
Carlton Palmer blasted Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca and believes the Spaniard has “done nothing” to deserve a move to Barcelona amid recent transfer interest.
The Whites signed Roca from Bayern Munich last summer, going on to make 36 appearances in all competitions as Leeds suffered a disastrous relegation to the Championship.
Barcelona were reportedly interested in the 26-year-old to replace long-time Camp Nou legend Sergio Busquets [Fichajes.net, 5 June], and it appears Seville-based Real Betis are set to land him on a temporary deal this summer [Toni Juanmarti, 9 June].
And speaking to Football League World [9 June], former Leeds United man and BBC pundit Palmer was left baffled that the club of Barcelona’s stature could be interested in Roca after his poor campaign.
He said: “I’m surprised to hear the reports that Barcelona want to sign Marc Roca from Leeds.
“Roca is a player with enormous talent, but he’s done nothing in his time at Leeds United to suggest that a club of huge stature like Barcelona would want to sign him.
“I think it’s likely that he will leave Leeds United following their relegation from the Premier League, but the destination at this juncture is unclear.”
Exit route
Roca emerged as a very good outlet on the ball for Leeds United this season, giving them the foundation to build out from deep areas, but simply struggled with the testing physicality of the English top-flight, especially after the injury to Tyler Adams.
He will also have been disappointed to lose his place in the starting XI following the January arrival of fellow midfielder Weston McKennie.
The Spaniard will view this summer as a chance to kickstart his career, and that looks set to happen away from Elland Road, with his native Spain now potentially being seen as the perfect exit route for him.
Though Palmer is absolutely right, Roca simply hasn’t deserved the links to Barcelona and given the club’s need to replace Busquets, Roca certainly isn’t the man to fill his shoes at the Spanish giants.
A move to Real Betis seems the ideal step for him as Leeds United plan for life without him. Good riddance if they can get a reasonable sum for his services, but a loan move away looks the more likely according to Toni Juanmarti, [9 June].
In other Leeds United news, a “shock” managerial candidate has appeared in the Elland Road running “out of the blue”.