After a difficult year with Leeds United, young forward Jay-Roy Grot is back on loan in the Netherlands with VVV-Venlo and looking to regain some confidence.
- By Michael Bell
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Born in Arnhem, Grot was picked up by the NEC Nijmegen academy at the age of 10 and seven years later he made his first-team debut in a 1-0 victory over Excelsior in 2015. He would go on to make 30 league appearances for NEC over two seasons, scoring five goals, but could not prevent their relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season.
The following August, Leeds United announced the forwards signing on a four-year deal. Grot had a difficult start to life in England and was booed by the club’s fans when he came off the bench during a clash with Norwich City last December. Grot finally scored his first goal for the club in March against Sheffield Wednesday but it proved to be his only strike in 23 appearances.
With his future at Leeds United uncertain, Grot decided to return to the Eredivisie, joining VVV Venlo on a season-long loan deal. The move already seems to have awaked some form in the 20-year-old, who has scored six goals during pre-season.
Style of Play
Grot has spent most of his career as a strong and powerful centre-forward. However, he is also capable of playing on either wing.
VVV director of football Stan Valckx confirmed that Grot will be deployed on the wing’s at VVV, “Jay-Roy is young, fast, technically skilled and has a lot of threat in his game, people often see him as a centre-forward, but he is a winger and certainly adds value to us.”
Grot possesses plenty of pace and athletic ability, while his bulk and power make him difficult to stop when he goes on a run on the wing. Grot has a powerful right-foot but needs to work on his finishing and composure in front of goal.
What to expect from Grot this season
Grot lost a lost of confidence during his campaign with Leeds United and will be eager to impress in Limburg. With Vito van Crooy departing to PEC Zwolle, Grot will be his replacement on the wing and will be expected to contribute goals to Maurice Steijn’s attack.
Grot was a big prospect when coming through at NEC and remains a Netherlands youth international. At VVV he has a big chance to get his career back on track.
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Thought he was badly dealt with when he came over to us last year and an idiotic section of the fans turned on him. Hopefully a season at Venlo will allow him to get some confidence back and he can have a new start under Bielsa in the same way Klich has. Plenty of potential there, just needs the right coach.