'He needs to generate fear' - Marcelo Bielsa calls on Tyler Roberts to prove Leeds United worth

The Whites host Southampton this evening at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa says Tyler Roberts must improve to show he can be a Premier League player on a regular basis for Leeds United.

The 22-year-old was handed just his third start of the season at Wolves on Friday night as he replaced Gjanni Alioski in the starting line-up at Molineux.

Bielsa has called on the Wales international to create more danger in the opposition final third, with an injury to record signing Rodrigo providing a creativity gap behind striker Patrick Bamford.

Leeds United's Tyler Roberts in action against Wolves. Pic: Gettyplaceholder image
Leeds United's Tyler Roberts in action against Wolves. Pic: Getty

Roberts endured a difficult time with injuries during the first two seasons of the Argentine's reign in West Yorkshire but has found game time hard to come by at senior level this term.

Bielsa - who is expected to keep Roberts in his line-up this evening against Southampton - believes he must now prove his worth to the Whites in the top flight and take advantage of the opening.

"What Tyler needs is to play with continuity," Bielsa told reporters.

"Not because anyone is missing but because he deserves to keep his place. Depending on this we will see if he is able to consolidate himself as a Premier League player.

"The game he played the other day should allow him to stay in the team - but to consolidate himself in the team he needs to improve.

"He needs to be able to create more danger and generate fear for the opponents. The game the other day was an excellent first step but he needs to keep on evolving."

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