Phil Hay believes Daniel Farke will need to “cash in on” Connor Roberts’ Championship experience for Leeds United during the promotion run-in.
Speaking on the Square Ball on 4 March the Athletic journalist noted that the 28-year-old Burnley loanee has been there and done it in terms of the second tier, the play offs, and winning the title under Vincent Kompany.
And after regular starting right-back Archie Gray excelled in his natural midfield spot in the midweek FA Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge Hay suggested bringing the Welshman in sooner or later to allow the teenager to reprise that role further forward.
He said (25m): “It is interesting with Archie Gray because he was so good against Chelsea in that position, and everybody knows that is his best position, you do feel it can’t be right-back forever for him.
“Allied to that you do have Connor Roberts who has already won promotion, has won the title with Burnley, has been in the play offs a couple of times with Swansea, knows his way about this league 10 times over, counts as a very experienced player in what is quite a young squad.
“He epitomises the way everybody at Leeds has found a way of chipping in. Hasn’t played much but there’s a goal against Leicester, there’s an assist [against Huddersfield] which has helped to get Leeds a point.
“But you do also have that personality aspect with him and now that it’s getting to the sharp end you can’t help feeling that that is something you might need to cash in on at some point.”
Burnley’s Championship title winner to prove key to Leeds United push under Daniel Farke?
The Whites didn’t wait the entirety of the January transfer window to land Roberts, when they were known to be seeking full-back help for the majority of it, for no reason.
There must have been other options at that position that were available sooner but in the Wales international they have a player who brings a lot more that could be of use to Farke than just his ability on the pitch.
For the German it has been a case of the XI not being broke so not needing to fix it as they went on a record run of wins in 2024.
But the first dropped points since the turn of the year against Huddersfield may well be the point where he looks to install a player who can influence teammates and use his recent experience of achieving the same goal the Whites are gunning for.
Djed Spence was supposed to be the man at right-back who had excelled in the Championship and knew how to gain promotion to the Premier League, but the Tottenham man’s time at Elland Road simply did not go according to plan.
Roberts is not the same eye-catching player but has apparently been viewing himself as more than a loanee ever since he arrived, and with Gray delivering a timely reminder of his midfield abilities in the cup just before the Huddersfield draw Farke has a decision to make.
In other Leeds United news, the club could now complete the signing of an attacking ace after he helped the Whites haunt his former side.
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