Georginio Rutter likely to be on Leeds United bench v Liverpool as flop verdict shared
Leeds United striker Georginio Rutter is likely to be on the bench again in the crucial clash with Liverpool on Monday [17 April], according to the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old has struggled for game-time and form since his record “big-money” £35.5million move from TSG Hoffenheim in January, only making just the one Premier League start.
And, with the French under-21 star celebrating his 21st birthday this week, he will again have to settle for a place on the Leeds United bench against the Reds in Monday’s crunch Premier League clash.
“There looks to be no end in sight to Leeds flop Georginio Rutter’s bit-part role after Javi Gracia defended his sparing use of the France Under-21 star,” Jason Mellor wrote.
“The out-of-favour striker has been a peripheral figure since his club-record £35.5million move from Hoffenheim in January.
“Rutter who turns 21 his week, is unlikely to celebrate his birthday with a rare start as Leeds go in search of a first league double over Liverpool for 22 years – and is again likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against Jurgen Klopp’s side tonight”, as revealed by the Daily Mail [17 April, page 12].
Unfortunate
Rutter, before his mega move to Elland Road, established himself as one of Germany’s most exciting forward talents, recording 10 goals and four assists over the last two campaigns in the German Bundesliga.
There was a report from German outlet Kicker [7 March], claiming that he’s already missing his Hoffenheim teammates which may lead people to have the viewpoint that the club may have wasted millions upon millions to sign him in January.
It is safe to say that he is struggling as a Leeds United player right now, but there’s cause to argue that the 20-year certainly isn’t being aided by his lack of opportunities and match rhythm, especially for a player who only joined in January and is currently playing for a side fighting for their Premier League status for next season.
Of course, Rutter isn’t going to bed into the team so soon which is really unfortunate for a very talented player.
The young Frenchman needs to be afforded time and the right conditions to thrive in English football, but because of the perilous position the club are in right now in the Premier League table, that patience seems impossible.
Maybe the Whites should have waited until the summer to make their move for Rutter, a player moving from a totally different environment to join a side steeped in a relegation dogfight certainly doesn’t provide them with the right conditions to thrive.
It would be an absolute waste for Leeds United to give up on him now.
In other Leeds United news, a months-long Whites transfer pursuit has now intensified for a sought-after Premier League prospect.