By Paddy Kenny

20th May, 2021 | 6:00pm

Forget Bielsa: Kenny tells Roberts to quit Leeds and flourish under Bruce at Newcastle

Tyler Roberts would flourish under Steve Bruce’s tutelage at Newcastle – more so than he has done with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United.

That is according to ex-Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively after Football Insider revealed that Newcastle are weighing up a move for the 22-year-old.

The 13-cap Wales international recently snubbed a contract offer from Leeds, casting doubt over his future at Elland Road. 

Roberts, who Leeds value at £10million, was a bit-part player at the start of the campaign but muscled his way into Bielsa’s first team as the season wore on.

He has now featured in Leeds’ last 15 matches, though much of that run coincided with the injury-enforced absence of Rodrigo Moreno.

But Kenny insists that Roberts’ progression would accelerate under the wing of the “excellent” Bruce at Newcastle.

He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “If he wants to play every week, sometimes you’ve got to move on and try your luck somewhere else.

“If that’s the case and Newcastle are interested, he should go there and get more first-team football. It can only be a good move for him.

“I think Brucey would bring the best out of him if he’s still there next season, maybe in a way the manager hasn’t been able to at Leeds.

“He always said that once he had a fully fit squad, Newcastle would do a lot better. He’s proved that.

“To me, Steve Bruce is an excellent manager and definitely one that could get the best out of Roberts.”

Roberts netted for the first time in the top-flight as Leeds ran out 2-0 winners against Southampton on Tuesday.

That result mathematically guaranteed Leeds a top-half finish.

In other news, this may be the real reason barely-seen Leeds United star handed rare start in midweek.