An injury to Rodrigo opened the way for Roberts to slot into the number 10 role at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa and the Welshman has since held on to the spot, having only played a bit part role during the first half of the current Premier League campaign.
Roberts made his ninth league start on the trot on Monday at Elland Road as Leeds held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw, playing 86 minutes of the clash.
Ex-Leeds star Whelan feels that Roberts has grown in confidence with each passing game, displaying some nice touches while pulling the strings in the attack as he sits behind Patrick Bamford.
However, Whelan insists Roberts has still got to prove that he belongs at Elland Road for the long run and stressed while being deployed in the number 10 role, he should be scoring and creating a lot more goals.
Asked whether he feels Roberts should be at Leeds next season, Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds after the game: “I do not think he is unlucky; he should have scored [against Liverpool].
“I think at times I look at him and think yes, you know that he is getting a little bit more confidence about him.
“He has still got a lot to prove, very much like [Helder] Costa, because he is okay being on the field now, having nice touches and turning and bringing people in to the play.
“You are a number 10 and I keep going back to it, your number 10, he creates and he scores, it is as simple as that.
“He is the star player, your [Lionel] Messi, your [Cristiano] Ronaldo, whatever you want to call it, that is the key to unlocking defences, it is that player.”
Leeds will return to the pitch on Sunday when they host high-flying Super League club Manchester United in the top flight and Roberts will be determined to continue making the best out of his extended run in the team.
