Phil Hay says if Jay-Roy Grot will be used by Bielsa as ‘Bizarre’ EFL rule allows him to play
Jay-Roy Grot will be eligible to play for Leeds United in their final eight games of the season, according to a new EFL rule.
Birmingham City released a statement, via BBC Sport, which says that “players loaned out on standard and international loans who have returned to their parent side are eligible for them again”.
BBC Sport add that loaned-out players are eligible if the player is returning from a curtailed division, which means Grot, 22, can be picked by Marcelo Bielsa.
Grot has spent the season on loan at Dutch club Vitesse, scoring two goals in 22 Eredivisie appearances.
The Dutch forward has another year left on his contract at Elland Road but according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay, he won’t be used by Bielsa even though he can be selected.
Hay added that the EFL’s new rule is “bizarre” and the fact that Grot won’t be up to Bielsa’s high standards means it’s unlikely we’re going to see him.
It would be interesting to see if Bielsa’s stance on Grot will change if Patrick Bamford suffers an injury in the run-in.
Jean-Kevin Augustin might not play again this season due to his fitness issues, which leaves Bamford and Tyler Roberts as the only first-team options to play up front.
Grot has never really impressed since Victor Orta signed him in 2017.
He made 22 appearances and scored just one goal in his first season at Elland Road and has since been sent out on loan by Bielsa, who clearly doesn’t seem to rate the Dutchman.
If Bamford or Roberts get injured then Bielsa might pluck someone out from the Under-23s to play up top rather than go with Grot.
That, or he could throw a curveball and name someone like the ever-reliable Stuart Dallas as a striker.
Dallas has played pretty much every position this season so why not see what he can do up front rather than take a risk on Grot?
In other Leeds United news, Hay has clarified Leeds’ stance on Emiliano Buendia.