21-year-old Leeds man says he wants to play up-front

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Leeds United’s Tyler Roberts has told BBC Sport that he sees himself playing as a striker over the long-term.

Roberts has been used as an advanced playmaker for Leeds regularly, and also out wide on occasion.

But the Welsh international wants to stake his claim for a striking place in the years ahead.

“All my life I’ve been a striker, I’ve obviously adapted to playing different situations and I don’t mind playing in a number 10 position or out wide, but ultimately over my career I see myself as a number nine – but a versatile one,” Roberts said.

Roberts has also been used up-front at Leeds, but more recently has been deployed as a number 10 more often than a number nine.

With Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford both at Elland Road, Roberts’s chances of playing as a sole striker look limited.

But his versatility to cover right across the front line makes him a valuable asset for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Roberts did actually start up-front for Wales over the international break, but he was largely starved of service, as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against England.

He is likely to return to the bench when Leeds are back in action, with a game against Wolves on Monday evening.