According to Adrian Durham, Georginio Rutter has been “outstanding” for Leeds United this season despite the disappointment of relegation last season.
As reported by Leeds Live (1 October), the talkSPORT presenter noted that while Rutter struggled last season with the weight of keeping Leeds in the Premier League, the drop down to the Championship has allowed him to thrive.
Durham suggested that Daniel Farke has played a key role in the Frenchman’s resurgence following his expensive move to Elland Road last January.
“If you’re judging him on last season that’s quite harsh,” Durham said. “He didn’t do the job last season but he’s 21 with a big weight on his shoulders to keep a massive club in the Premier League and it didn’t happen.
“He was like a rabbit in the headlights. So wipe the slate clean and see what he does in what should be an easier division in the Championship.”
“Is he showing up well in the early stages of the season? You bet. He’s getting goals, he’s helping the team and I was speaking to a Leeds fan who was at the 3-0 win over Watford and said he was outstanding – incredibly skilful, really good vision and hard working.
“Joel Piroe is in the number 10 position and Rutter is in the nine position which surprised me, but it’s working. It’s something really good that Farke has got going and Rutter seems to be thriving in that.
“It seems that the manager has put his arm around his shoulder and is getting the best out of his young striker. He cost a lot of money and that’s got to weigh heavy so I think he’s playing very well considering everything.”
Rutter has emerged as a standout for Daniel Farke’s new-look Leeds United side.
The Whites broke their transfer record to bring the Frenchman in from Hoffenheim for £35.5million with the expectation that he would be a driving force in Leeds remaining in the top-flight.
This did not come to be, however, and despite interest from abroad, Rutter remained at Elland Road to help in the club’s promotion efforts, and so far he has been crucial in all their success.
With two goals and two assists to his name this season, Rutter has become a driving force for many of the Whites’ victories this season, most notably his excellent performance against Watford.
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He will be disappointed to be playing in the Championship, but his application off the pitch emphasises his commitment to the club. As reported by The Athletic (29 September), Rutter showed no signs of wanting a summer exit and gave no indication that he was unhappy, while Farke saw Rutter as “motivated to stick around”.
His excellent form is naturally helped by the lower-quality opposition in the Championship, but he will be a key body for Farke in his bid for promotion.
