Tyler Roberts “unavailable at the moment“ says Marcelo Bielsa - Leeds attacker set for departure?

During Marcelo Bielsa’s press conference following Leeds’ game against Spurs was like any other, until he was questioned by a reporter on Tyler Roberts who was left-out of the squad for the match at White Hart Lane.

The 21-year-old has struggled for game time in The Premier League and is yet to make his mark since promotion last season, in which he made 23 appearances scoring four goals and assisting one in the league.

Roberts has made eight appearances in the league this season but has played less than three matches worth of minutes, while playing just as many in his four PL2 appearances for the under-23s - scoring three and assisting two.

Marcelo Bielsa’s response to the Roberts question was simply that the Wales international is currently unavailable. However, Graham Smyth documents that Bielsa needed input form the Leeds media team before answering, which now fuels speculation of a possible departure.

Now with the January transfer window open, Leeds could be looking to find Roberts a new destination, on loan or even on a potential permanent deal. A loan deal to The Championship is something that most of the fans have been hoping for when it comes to Roberts. From what we’ve seen of him, Roberts has the potential to play in The Premier League and lead the line for The Whites in the future, but he needs game time more than anything right now, and he’s not getting it at Leeds right now.

Derby County were linked to Roberts late-on in the summer transfer window while former under-23s and assistant coach, Carlos Corberan could be in need of some more firepower at Huddersfield Town.

A big issue for Roberts at Leeds United has been his lack of minutes in his natural and arguably best position as a striker, with Marcelo Bielsa primarily utilising Roberts as a number 10 in the midfield. Judging by his performances for the under-23s, Roberts is much more dangerous and comfortable in this position as the player who drops into the midfield and cause havoc in the midfield.

His assists for Shackleton and Raphinha are the best examples of this, with Roberts finding it easier to cause problems when he is the spare man rather than attacking the box from the midfield.

However, this is all we have to suggest the possible departure for Roberts in the January transfer window, but it seems like it could be likely that we see him leave on-loan for the rest of the season.