Noel Whelan has highlighted that Leeds United made a mistake not signing Callum Robinson in the January transfer window, pointing out that the forward would’ve been a better addition that Jean-Kevin Augustin.

Leeds were on the lookout for an attacking addition for the bulk of the January transfer window, eventually settling on Augustin, who arrived until the end of the season from RB Leipzig.

However, in three substitute appearances he’s struggled to make anything like the impact expected and still finds himself behind the likes of Patrick Bamford in the pecking order.

Elsewhere in the Championship’s promotion race, Robinson is impressing for West Bromwich Albion, who saw an opportunity to swoop to sign him from Sheffield United after a limited Bramall Lane impact.

He’s started four Championship fixtures under Slaven Bilic, scoring his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the Hawthorns.

And, that’s led to criticism of Leeds from former Elland Road striker Whelan.

“I think we missed a trick in not signing him,” he told Football Insider.

“He knows the league. A good strong player. West Brom saw it and we did not. You want a player that is ready to come straight in and play.

“There is one right there and we have got someone called Augustin who has played 3 games in 8 months. He is not up to speed, not match fit. There is a lot of work in progress.” 

Leeds sit second to West Brom in the Championship table, with the weekend’s results leaving them four points adrift of the league leaders.

And, Whelan believes the Baggies got the upper-hand by signing a forward ready to hit the ground running.

“We need a player like Robinson – ready to go and banging goals in,” he continued. “They got the upper hand on that. They signed a player ready.” 

The Verdict  

We know what Robinson is all about at this level of football, with the Irishman impressing during his spell with Preston, which, of course, earned him a Premier League move.

However, whilst Whelan is right that Robinson is ready to hit the ground running at West Brom, is he really what was needed at Leeds?

Bielsa needed a alternative to Bamford in attack, with Robinson far more comfortable coming in off the left-side of midfield, just as he has been doing for the Baggies.

Jack Harrison does that well for Leeds, who also signed Ian Poveda in January, so you’ve got to question whether Robinson was truly needed. He isn’t the No.9 Bielsa wanted and might’ve found himself warming the bench had he moved to Elland Road.

Thoughts? Let us know!