Leeds United: Daniel Farke call justified at Elland Road as telling Georginio Rutter stat emerges
Georginio Rutter had another excellent game as Leeds United saw off fierce rivals Millwall 2-0 in Sunday’s (18 March) Championship clash.
The victory for Leeds – their 12th in 13 league games this calendar year, the other being a draw – took them above Leicester City into top spot.
Rutter assisted both goals at Elland Road – the first for Wilfried Gnonto and the second for Daniel James – as Leeds kept their momentum going.
Leeds United overcome Millwall to climb top of Championship
The second assist in particular earned huge praise for the Frenchman from Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff.
“It’s a really good bit of play there, and Rutter shows a fantastic bit of skill,” McAnuff said on Sky Sports Football [17 March].
“This man here is so hard to stop, skilful, carries the ball so well but also has that physical presence to do that and puts it on a plate in the end.”
Rutter has now set up more goals from open play since the start of February than any player in England’s top four tiers [Jonny Cooper].
The France Under-21s international has seven open-play assists in 10 games and on that basis is currently the most creative force in the land.
Rutter now has an astonishing 14 assists to his name in the Championship this campaign, which is matched only by Leif Davis at Ipswich Town.
However, as per FBref, Rutter is assisting 0.42 goals per 90 minutes, compared to 0.41 for left-back Davis.
Georginio Rutter position has changed under Daniel Farke
There is more to Rutter’s game than just assisting, as he has also netted six times himself in the league this season.
Rutter is also able to make things happen from nothing, as highlighted by his 46-per-cent accuracy from dribble attempts [Sofascore].
On that basis, it is clear why only Ethan Ampadu (3,420) has played more minutes for Leeds this term than key man Rutter (3,127) [WhoScored].
The German has been more than justified in his decision to move the former Hoffenheim ace into a deeper role behind Patrick Bamford.
Continue on this current trajectory, and it will only be a matter of months before he is turning it on for Leeds back in the Premier League at the end of this thrilling promotion race.
In other Leeds United news, an international manager has raved about a Whites first-teamer who he has seen up close numerous times this season.
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