Leeds United: Georginio Rutter can still improve despite second-best Championship stat
Georginio Rutter is currently the second-highest-rated Championship player of 21 years old or younger but the Leeds United man can still improve.
Second only to Hull City’s Jaden Philogene (7.53), the young forward has been rated 7.45 due to his performances, scoring four goals and assisting a further nine, topping the league playmaker charts alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Leif Davis. [WhoScored]
However, with only Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe and Dan James scoring more for the Whites, it could be vital that Rutter improves upon his four goals so far as Leeds continue to aim for promotion back to the Premier League.
Of course, assists are very important to the rest of his teammates. But when one of the above hit a rough patch, the 21-year-old will need to step up if Leeds are to reach England’s top tier.
With Leeds signing the player for a club-record fee in January of this year, it will be expected that the striker can put the ball in the back of the net on more occasions and probably should have done already. [BBC Sport]
Adam Pope spoke on BBC Sport’s Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast (6 November) that Rutter’s shooting needs working on despite an excellent all-round display during Leeds’ 1-0 win over Leicester City: “Georginio had some shots but they were rubbish, but no-one’s talking about those because of his all-round play.
“Is that an issue for Rutter? Technically he doesn’t shoot well, at times.”
Unfortunately, this has not been improved upon, with the Frenchman scoring once in seven appearances since, as he scored during the Whites’ 3-1 victory over Swansea City.
Rutter’s xG for the season is at 7.5, which far exceeds his four goals. He is underperforming in front of goal, but his xG confirms that getting into good positions is not the issue. Pulling the trigger is where the problem lies.
Following Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Coventry City on Saturday 16 December, Daniel Farke also admitted to the Yorkshire Evening Post (19 December) that Rutter needs to be more clinical in front of goal.
“Being there with clinical finishes is still what he could improve, he could already be there with double figures,” he said.
It is true. With an upturn of goals, Rutter could be a true force to be reckoned with, in the Championship, as well as the Premier League and Europe.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has shared an unseen Joe Rodon moment from after the draw with Coventry as it all “kicked off”.