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Kemar Roofe’s Leeds United struggles suggest Ollie Watkins may have point to prove if he moves to the Championship

Leeds United manager Garry Monk (REUTERS)
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Like former Oxford United talisman Kemar Roofe, Exeter City’s Ollie Watkins could move to Leeds United this summer after starring in League Two.

Leeds' Kemar Roofe reacts after hitting the post

Leeds United found out the hard way this season that a player’s sparkling form in League Two does not guarantee that they will make a similar impression two divisions up the footballing ladder.

The club paid Oxford United £3 million for Kemar Roofe in the summer, as reported by the BBC. At the time, his remarkable tally of 18 goals and nine assists to inspiring Oxford to promotion appeared to justify his rather hefty price tag.

However, that has translated into just three goals in his debut Championship season. In Roofe’s defence, he has contributed seven assists while being shifted around in unfamiliar positions by manager Garry Monk.

But there’s no getting away from the fact that Leeds fans expected more from the one-time West Brom prospect.

Deja vu?

Therefore, you wonder whether this may make the club think twice about spending big on Ollie Watkins this summer. The 21-year-old has been rewarded for his effervescent performances with League Two outfit Exeter City by being linked to a number of Championship clubs – Leeds among them, according to Somerset Live.

Doncaster Rovers' Tommy Rowe in action with Exeter City's Ollie Watkins

Watkins has enjoyed the most prolific season of his career with 14 goals, while his natural pace and versatility stands him out as an ideal addition to a Leeds strikeforce desperately in need of reinforcement.

However, Leeds fans could be forgiven for being a little concerned that stepping up from the fourth tier to the second could be too much too soon for the EFL Young Player of the Year.

There’s every chance that Roofe will come good for Leeds once those long-range raspers start hitting the top corner rather than the paint of the crossbar. However, his difficult debut season means Watkins may be under scrutiny if he chooses Elland Road this summer.

Leeds United's Kemar Roofe looks dejected