Thomas Christiansen signing Tyler Roberts could be key to Leeds United promotion success

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Leeds United finally turned one of their dominant displays into a resounding scoreline at the weekend. The Whites defeated Hull City 4-0 at the KCOM Stadium as they continue their push for promotion. 

The reason the scoreline proved so decisive was the introduction of Tyler Roberts. The attacker returned from his most recent injury break to score twice from the bench. 

With Patrick Bamford goal-shy and Jean-Kevin Augustin still proving his fitness, Leeds United fans are hopeful Roberts can be the key to scoring the goals that take Leeds over that promotion line. 

If so, it will be a Thomas Christiansen signing that did so. 

The Spanish boss was in charge when Victor Orta and the Leeds recruitment team brought Roberts to Elland Road. The Welshman arrived in a reported £4 million (Daily Mail) deal from West Brom in January 2018. 

The Mail reported that it was Christiansen who ‘sanctioned’ a move for the then Walsall loanee. Christiansen himself spoke following Roberts’ arrival in conversation with BBC Radio Leeds, clearly excited to work with the player.

 “Well, it’s right. It’s a player that we have been follow(ing) and a young talent that can help the team.

“He is an interesting player.

“He can play upfront, but can also play on both wings, a lot of mobility, technically good, fast, good with the ball.”

He never got the chance. Roberts fractured his shin during his first Leeds training session and Christiansen was sacked a few days later. His successor, Paul Heckingbottom, also never got the chance to work with Roberts. The attacker missed the rest of the season and Heckingbottom was gone by the summer. 

Now, it is Marcelo Bielsa who has the pleasure of utilising Roberts and, when fit, the Welsh international has proved a hit for the Argentine. 

Hopefully, he can be the missing piece of the puzzle as Leeds look to finally win promotion back to the Premier League.