Henry Winter makes Leeds United admission after what Georginio Rutter did for Brighton
Henry Winter has been left blown away by Georginio Rutter’s “transformation” at Brighton, admitting the forward initially “struggled” at Leeds United.
The French forward spent 18 months with the Whites and after a slow start in the Premier League, found his feet in the Championship last season before joining the Seagulls late in the summer transfer window.
Former Times journalist Winter was left in awe of Rutter’s display as Brighton came from behind to beat Tottenham on Sunday (6 October) and namechecked the Whites as he lauded his recent development.
Writing in his Substack column on Monday (7 October) he said: “I watched some of Georginio Rutter’s first games at Leeds United and he struggled with the pace and physicality of the game.
“He obviously picked up the pace, developed at Elland Road, and Brighton’s analytics and recruitment boffins clearly looked at the data and believed he would kick on again.
“And he has, a credit to the club’s scouting and the coaching. As so many do at Brighton, and he’s still only 22.
“Rutter showed his determination and skill to force his way through to score against Spurs and then beat Destiny Udogie to reach the byeline, beat Rodrigo Bentacur for sheer will and crossed for Danny Welbeck’s winner.
“Welbeck nicknamed Rutter “Velcro” because the ball sticks to his feet. Some compliment. Some transformation.”
Why did Georginio Rutter exit Leeds United for Brighton transfer?
It will be bittersweet for Leeds United supporters to see Rutter kick on in the Premier League with Brighton.
Had Daniel Farke’s side found a way around Southampton in the playoff final, the Frenchman would likely still be a Whites player now alongside the likes of Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville.
While Leeds have recruited well to replace the Frenchman, that moment of chaos and quality that he showed in Brighton’s win against Spurs this weekend is something that very few players in the Championship would be capable of.
Hopefully, the likes of Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon and even players like Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph will be able to replace Rutter at the top end of the field and score the goals to fire Farke’s side to the Premier League this term.
It won’t be easy, but the initial signs suggest that United will be there or there about once again this term.
In other Leeds United news, Karl Darlow is set for a first-team audition after recent developments at Elland Road this season
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