Roberts is now Marcelo Bielsa’s second choice for the number 10 role in the absence of Rodrigo and started on Saturday evening as Leeds hosted Aston Villa at Elland Road in the Premier League.
The attacker failed to impact the game and was replaced in the 71st minute by Pablo Hernandez as Leeds slipped to a 1-0 defeat.
Whelan thinks that Roberts does not have what is required to be an impactful number 10 in the Premier League and insists he does not rate him as special enough to hold down the job.
“I’ve never been sold by Roberts in that position and that he can hit the level that’s going to make a difference and be productive for Leeds, in terms of scoring goals from that position or out wide, or centre forward”, Whelan said post match on BBC Radio Leeds.
“In the first 45 I thought he got on the ball. He got on the ball and started making things happen, but in a number 10 role, the number 10’s role is to create, score and be that special player.
“He’s not that special to me.”
Leeds are now next in action only on 8th March when they head to the capital to face West Ham United.
It remains to be seen if Rodrigo will be fit for the clash or, if he is not, whether Bielsa continues to trust Roberts as his number 10.
