Georginio Rutter causes ‘spectacle’ to ‘retire’ Stoke City loanee Tom Edwards as Leeds United thrash Huddersfield Town
It was a “real spectacle” to see Georginio Rutter “retire” Huddersfield’s Tom Edwards with his excellent performance in the 4-1 Leeds United victory at the weekend, according to Joe Donnohue.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist said on the Inside Elland Road podcast on 31 October that the on-loan Stoke City man has probably “decided that football’s not for him” after being given the run-around by the Whites club-record signing.
Frenchman Rutter, 21, and teammate Crysencio Summerville, 22, were both outstanding along with Dan James as Daniel Farke’s side blew away the Terriers before half time at Elland Road on Saturday (28 October), with Darren Moore withdrawing Edwards at the break after the onslaught.
Donnohue said, firstly of Summerville (14m 30s): “It was a real delight to watch a player, even from a journalistic or neutral perspective, it was just a delight to watch a player playing fantastically well.
“And from a selfish perspective, with a real soft spot for Georginio, seeing him retire 24-year-old Tom Edwards at right-back.
“He was subbed a half-time and I presume has decided that football’s not for him. That was also a real spectacle.”
Impossible assignment
Clearly Donnohue is being tongue in cheek about Edwards, and in fairness to the Huddersfield man there will have been a long list of defenders that likely included some illustrious names who would have struggled on Saturday.
Rutter has rightly drawn a lot of attention recently with his performances, while the unique circumstances of his arrival and struggles at Elland Road have arguably given Farke a player who is simply too good for the Championship.
There aren’t many who were signed for £35.5million [Sky Sports, 15 January] within the past year who stay to take on the second tier.
The fact that Victor Orta’s decision to spend such a big amount on him when Leeds United needed someone who would rescue their relegation fight proved so ill-advised has had the silver lining of keeping him at the club during a summer of exits.
Had Rutter performed strongly last season, or even been used much, then he likely would have been signed following relegation.
Rutter stayed despite “very good money” reportedly being offered, but it was surely below what was spent on him six months earlier, while his own difficulties have likely contributed to a desire to put things right at the club.
And if he can keep up his current form then there is every chance that he will get another shot at the top flight in a Whites shirt, having become a favourite among the fans.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope believes Patrick Bamford is “in the balance” at the club now and his recovery from the current situation is in question.