Leeds United are reportedly optimistic that Jay-Roy Grot stands a chance of establishing himself at Elland Road in the future.
It possibly said a lot about Caleb Ekuban’s and Jay-Roy Grot’s first seasons at Leeds that the Whites were prepared to let the pair leave on loan this summer despite not having a large cluster of striker options at the club.
The pair ended their first year at Elland Road with one Championship goal each – the same tally that Chris Wood boasted despite the New Zealander leaving after just three appearances at the start of the season – and it appeared that they were both facing an uphill battle trying to force their way into Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.
Grot was loaned out to Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo, while Ekuban has moved to Turkey with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting that Trabzonspor have signed the striker until next summer where they will have the option to make the move permanent.
The Yorkshire Evening Post suggests that there is hope at Leeds that Grot will be able to turn his situation around with the Championship side in the future. But there appears to be much more uncertainty surrounding Ekuban, especially with the permanent option being included in the loan deal.
But if the door remains open for Grot, then Ekuban surely needs to believe that he could also make the grade with Leeds as there was so little to pick between the pair last term.
Ekuban – who cost £500,000, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post – is a few years older than Grot, so he is under more pressure to find some genuine form rather than just so promise while he is away. And of course, if he does superbly during his time in Turkey, then Trabzonspor will surely decide to make the move permanent when they have the chance.
But if he scores some goals – he has already opened his account despite featuring for just four minutes thus far – and ultimately returns to Leeds next summer, perhaps he may be handed one final chance to prove that he can make an impact.
Grot becoming a success with the Whites appears to be the much safer bet when you consider his age and the fact that he probably looked the more dangerous of the pair last season, but Ekuban has to believe that the optimism surrounding Grot’s future could also leave a window open for him if he thrives while away but does not end up leaving Leeds permanently.
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