Georginio Rutter now set for key Leeds United role under Daniel Farke as 49ers make decision on future
Incoming Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises are reportedly keen on the club’s record signing Georginio Rutter with the striker now set for a key role under Daniel Farke.
The 20-year-old has struggled for game time and form since his club-record £35.5million move from Hoffenheim in the winter transfer window, making just one Premier League start.
And a report emerged from The Athletic journalist Phil Hay on 28 May detailing the idea that Italian businessman and majority owner Radrizzani initially wanted a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season when negotiating his move to Elland Road, which was overruled by the 49ers who wanted a permanent buy.
With the Whites now having announced former Norwich City boss Daniel Farke as their new manager [5 July] for next season, the incoming American new owners have now delivered some telling news regarding the young Frenchman’s future.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post [5 July], the 49ers are keen on the club’s record signing Georginio Rutter and back him to fulfil his undoubted potential next season and this decision may well mean that the former Hoffenheim man is given a key role under the German coach in the Championship.
New manager Daniel Farke shared some time with Rutter at training on Wednesday (5 June), with the German boss keen to work with the 21-year-old as Leeds seek to earn promotion back to the Premier League.
Considering the kind of pressure the Whites were under during the torrid relegation battle last season, Rutter’s lack of opportunities seemed perfectly understandable given he simply did not have enough time to acclimatise himself to his new surroundings.
Rutter, before his mega move to Elland Road, established himself as one of Germany’s most exciting young forward talents, recording 10 goals and four assists over the last two campaigns in the German Bundesliga.
The incentives were there for Leeds’ hierarchy to shell out the cash for his services and there are plenty of examples of players who have made similar moves and struggled to hit the ground running in their first campaigns before going on to excel in time.
It is also fair to say that a lack of regular game time, coupled with Leeds’ fight against relegation, has contributed to Rutter’s initial struggles in England – the situation at Elland Road would make it difficult even for more established Premier League players to thrive.
Moving forward, Leeds have to provide Rutter with opportunities to adapt and develop. Championship football wasn’t on his agenda when he signed, but it might yet be the second tier – if Leeds are relegated – is the ideal platform for him to discover his best form.
And under a progressive, attacking and expansive-styled coach in Farke, Rutter may finally deliver his best self in a Leeds United shirt.
With key strikers Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo potentially leaving Elland Road this summer, Rutter may well be handed an opportunity to claim a starting spot next season.
With all the support from his teammates and coaches and his continued acclimatisation to English football, the 20-year-old could become the player he was predicted to when he moved to West Yorkshire in January.
It would be deemed an absolute waste if the 49ers were to give up on him now. This new development will certainly hand Rutter all the encouragement and confidence he needs to become an Elland Road star very soon.
In other Leeds United news, the club have been handed a boost to sign a Manchester United player this summer with Erik ten Hag likely to sanction his exit.