Joel Piroe hails Leeds United teammate Georginio Rutter amid growing partnership under Daniel Farke
Joel Piroe has heaped praise on Leeds United teammate Georginio Rutter amid their growing partnership in attack, calling him a “great lad” who is “very open” to learn.
The Dutch forward told Adam Pope for BBC Radio Leeds (19 September) that they talk “a lot” about their games and while he “wouldn’t say” he is “teaching” the young record signing he has been able to provide the benefit of around 100 games experience in the Championship.
Rutter, 21, assisted Piroe, 24, for the opening goal in the 3-0 win at Millwall last weekend as Daniel Farke has preferred the latter playing in the number 10 role since his arrival from Swansea behind the young Frenchman.
Piroe has three goals in three games for Leeds United as his Whites career has got off too a strong start, despite the poor outing against Sheffield Wednesday.
Rutter now has two goals and an assist in five Championship appearances this term after struggling under multiple managers in the top flight last season, following his £35.5million move from Hoffenheim [Sky Sports, 15 January].
The big-money arrival in the winter window had a difficult start to his career at Elland Road, and found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons on the way towards relegation [Telegraph, 24 May], but looks to be coming good now.
Strike pair
Rutter seems to be feeling comfortable at the club since Farke’s arrival and as his understanding with Piroe grows that will surely only improve.
If both can feed off each other this term it will help the Whites have one of the most well-stocked attacks in the division and provide a return on some significant investment.
Based on the win at Millwall the combination is working well already, and on current form it is difficult to see a route back into the line up for Patrick Bamford when he is fit again.
It may just be that Rutter was dropped into an impossible position last season as a young forward who needed to be brought along slowly, but instead arrived with pressure heaped on him by the price tag and the situation the club were in at the time.
But from Piroe’s assessment it sounds like the youngster has put his head down and striven to get better, while the new arrival, and manager Farke, also deserve credit.
It isn’t exactly value for money for a £35.5m signing to be playing well in the second tier but he can’t help his fee, and the prospect of him learning from Piroe – scorer of 44 Championship goals – puts the Whites in a very strong position up front at last.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites ace was shocked to be handed an award live on Sky Sports.