Noel Whelan has urged Leeds United to sell striker Jay-Roy Grot and does not believe that the player is good enough for the Championship. 

Grot joined Leeds on a three-year deal from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in 2017, but his first season at Elland Road was disappointing.

The forward failed to make an impact, scoring one goal in 22 appearances in all competitions and made just one league start.

The 21-year-old failed to impress new head coach Marcelo Bielsa last summer and was was loaned out to VVV-Venlo at the beginning of last season, where he scored six goals in 33 league appearances for the Eredivisie side.

It was reported last week that Bielsa is prepared to give the striker a chance to save his Leeds career this summer, ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

However, Whelan is unconvinced by what he has seen from the striker so far and does not believe he has enough quality to make a difference for Leeds next season.

The former Leeds striker believes his old side would be better off selling the forward and using the money to strengthen the squad in other areas.

“From what I’ve seen he’s not the quality that Leeds United need. He doesn’t have that quality for Championship football, he doesn’t have the quality that’s going to make the difference next season,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“If he does come and prove me wrong, I hope he does, but from what I’ve seen, he’s not your answer to that centre forward position unfortunately. I think he’s been a bad signing.

“Is he going to start? Absolutely not. Does he have the quality in my eyes? No. I think he’d be better off unloaded, get the money, pocket the cash, spend it elsewhere or put the money towards something that is going to be a difference.”

The Verdict

I agree with Whelan here. If Leeds want to win promotion from the Championship next season, they need a striker who is capable of scoring 20 goals and Grot is nowhere near good enough for that.

It's good that Bielsa is prepared to give the striker a second chance and in time, Grot could develop into a good player, but Leeds need somebody who can make an impact next season and I'm not convinced he can.

As Whelan says, perhaps Leeds would be better off selling the player and using the money to strengthen the squad in other key areas.