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Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has played down the abilities of Kemar Roofe after he was linked with a move to Aston Villa.

Leeds’ top scorer was fantastic for the Whites last season but the BBC Radio Leeds pundit isn’t convinced that he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.

What’s been said then?

The 44-year-old was discussing Aston Villa’s interest in the frontman.

“It does make sense as Leeds have not sorted out a new deal for Roofe, and he could be signed for £10million, but I thought they’d be looking at a bigger name,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“Yes, Kemar did well last season but is he good enough for the Premier League? Maybe Aston Villa fans will want something more. He is not Tammy Abraham, that’s for sure. Is Roofe better than or as good as Abraham? No.”

Spot on

Whelan has every right to question whether or not Roofe is ready to move up to the Premier League.

This is the guy who was starting most weeks for the team with the worst conversion rate in the Championship. He was spoonfed chance after chance last season and only came away scoring 15 goals.

Aston Villa are likely to be in a relegation scrap next season and in those situations, you need a striker who is going to make the most of every chance. Indeed, Roofe’s positioning is good enough to craft these opportunities but his composure and finishing leave a lot to be desired.

15 goals as the starting striker in a team that created more chances than anyone else in the division isn’t that great of a return. Whelan is right when saying that Villa should be looking for something more.