Tyler Roberts is one of the most talented young players to emerge through West Bromwich Albion’s academy in many a year.
It is fair to say Tyler Roberts did not take long to show Walsall why they signed him this summer. The 18-year-old striker had only made his debut off the bench eight minutes earlier before he struck in a 3-3 draw with Bradford late last month.
Roberts only has until January to impress at the League One club after joining on loan from West Brom but its fair to say he’s made the best possible start. The next step for the teenage striker is for him to maintain his consistency – an admittedly big ask for a player so young.
Loan spells at Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town last season offered plenty of reason for optimism but a total of just six goals in 33 League One fixtures.
Yet, if Roberts is to manage what the likes of Kemar Roofe (below) could not and step up to the Baggies’ first-team, he is certainly going the right way about it.
If there are three things West Brom have lacked in recent years, it is a natural-born goalscorer, homegrown prospects making their way into the first-team, and youth. Roberts, who has one goal in one appearance for Wales’ Under-21s, combines all three however and should use these next few months at Walsall wisely as Pulis will be keeping a keen eye on his development.
The Gloucester-born academy graduate has been with West Brom since the age of seven and, along with skilful winger Jonathan Leko, who will spend the season at Bristol City, appears to be The Baggies’ best hope of welcoming a youth team star into the senior fold.
West Brom were tipped to pay big for a striker this summer but, given time, Roberts could save them a pretty penny.
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