David Prutton drops ‘cynical’ verdict on Summerville and Rutter Leeds United exits
David Prutton has shared his “cynical” verdict on Leeds United following the summer departures of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
The Whites lost two star players throughout the summer transfer window with Summerville completing a move to West Ham United for £25million plus add-ons and Brighton & Hove Albion activating Rutter’s £40m release clause.
Prutton discussed Leeds’ transfer business on the Essential EFL podcast [9 September] and, while Daniel Farke acted fast before the 30 August deadline to secure replacements, the host believes the Whites are not worse off as is predominantly thought.
He said: “The players they’ve brought in of course to replace, very sizeable figures for them.
“You look at what Summerville brought to the side, and Rutter, I think it was over 50 goal involvements collectively but you made a profit on both, and that sounds a bit cynical and a bit kind of financially biased.
“But over £20million (profit) on Summerville and you made £5million on Rutter who, yes they were very good players in the Championship, still didn’t do what they were there for which was to get Leeds promoted.
“Again that maybe sounds overly harsh. But take the play-off final, sometimes the big games those players went missing, so hopefully the collective now is chemically more balanced.”
Leeds United do not need Summerville or Rutter this season
It is a wild presumption to make that Leeds will be better off without last season’s Championship Player of the Year, Summerville, and 22-goal contributions Rutter, but the Sky Sports presenter raises an excellent point.
Both forwards scored in the 4-0 win against Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-final at Elland Road but failed to score in the reverse fixture at Carrow Road and didn’t step up for their side when needed most in the final loss to Southampton.
Once the automatic promotion spots are out of sight, it doesn’t matter how many goals are scored in the regular season if the players can’t produce when it matters most in the playoffs.
Leeds have navigated the transfer market brilliantly with the acquisitions of Largie Ramazani from Almeria [Sky Sports] and Manor Solomon on a season-long loan from Tottenham all while recording profits on the big-money departures.
The Whites boast a young and talented squad brimming with Premier League and European experience, they are still favourites for the Championship title this season [Opta Analyst] and it would be disastrous for the side to find themselves outside of automatic contention.
Farke needs players this year who want to play for the badge and while Summerville struggles for minutes at West Ham and Rutter waits for his chance at Brighton, their replacements are set to play a vital role in a bid to return to the Premier League for Leeds.
In other Leeds news, the Whites are demanding an ‘awful lot of money’ for Willy Gnonto.
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