With Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa looking to keep a lean squad heading into this second season in charge, there were bound to be a number of players deemed surplus to requirements.

Dutch forward Jay-Roy Grot was one of those players whom Bielsa saw no use for in the current side, meaning he was sent out on loan for the second season in a row. This campaign, he has been loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem, who are managed by former Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky.

Before his first loan spell, Grot had a difficult time at Leeds. He was used sporadically at the best of times, rarely featuring and when he did, it was for a brief period in various positions. Grot had spoken out previously about his tough first year and it was clear that he was feeling isolated making the move from his native Holland over to England as a teenager. The moves have given him fresh confidence that he can make it at Leeds under Bielsa and whoever his successor may be. 

This season for Vitesse, Grot has found some consistency in his form and playing time. He has featured in all but one of Vitesse’s league games this season, scoring one and assisting another. 

His goal came in a 2-0 win over Willem II away from home in August, where he converted smartly from a cut-back following a swift counter-attack. His assist was in Vitesse’s 2-1 over AZ Alkmaar when a long cross-field ball allowed him to beat a full-back head the ball into Tim Matavz’s path for an equaliser.

It is clear that Leeds see a future for Grot with the two loan spells, rather than instantly selling him to another club. Consistent game time for a Vitesse side hopeful of getting a spot in the Europa League this season will do wonders for Grot’s confidence and playing in the Dutch Eredivisie gives him great exposure to a competitive, good-quality league.

It is yet to be seen what Leeds intend to do with Grot in the future but his form for Vitesse makes for positive reading after how his Leeds career began.