Andrea Radrizzani proven wrong by Georginio Rutter at Leeds United after what ex-Elland Road chief did
Leeds United star Georginio Rutter has finally been allowed to thrive this season and could make the difference between a mediocre season and the highs of promotion, with the 49ers to thank for his arrival.
As reported by The Athletic [29 September], if previous owner Andrea Radrizzani had got his way, Rutter’s stay at Elland Road would likely have been over in the summer, after he insisted on a loan-to-buy deal which would have hinged on Leeds’ survival.
49ers Enterprises, though, were poised for their full-scale takeover of the club and demanded the loan route be shelved in favour of a permanent deal. This move now looks to be a master stroke.
The Frenchman is proving Radrizzani completely wrong. His impact in the Premier League was minimal, with just 1 assist and no goals from 11 games, and would have seen him return to his former club Hoffenheim with a whimper.
Now, though, Rutter has recorded two goals and two assists in Leeds’ opening seven Championship games, and looks like he could be the inspiration to send Leeds back to the promised land of the Premier League.
His inspirational Championship performances under Daniel Farke have seen him compared to French legend Zinedine Zidane, with his graceful movement, beautiful first touch and creative prowess beginning to shine in the white shirt at Elland Road.
Questions had been asked about the £36million transfer fee spent to bring him to the club last season [Sky Sports] after his lacklustre displays, but if he can fire the club back to the top tier of football, he will have been worth every penny the 49ers demanded be spent on him.
The Frenchman’s expected goals and assists total of 4.18 so far this season [Sofascore] shows just how impactful he has been on the team, with his confident performances singling him out as a real difference-maker.
If Radrizzani had his way, Rutter would no longer be a Leeds player. Fans would not have been able to marvel at his displays this season, and the club would be that much further away from the level of performance needed to achieve promotion.
In other Leeds United news, a manager has shared an update on the future of a Leeds-linked star.