Leeds United: Georginio Rutter on surge to break Norwich star’s record despite surgery blow
Georginio Rutter’s outstanding Leeds United season looks certain to result in him breaking a Championship record held by a former Daniel Farke star.
Opta’s Jonny Cooper posted on Twitter (17 March) after the Whites’ 2-0 win over Millwall that the Frenchman’s two assists had taken him up to 15 from open play in the league this term.
That leaves him one short of Emi Buendia’s total of 16 in Norwich’s title-winning promotion season of 2020-21, under the guidance of Farke.
Rutter underwent minor hernia surgery following the victory over the Lions, but he is not expected to be out long-term and should be back for the upcoming games against Watford or Hull [The Athletic, 18 March].
Therefore, given there are eight remaining Leeds United fixtures in the second tier this term it seems highly likely that the club-record signing will eclipse the record set by Argentine Buendia three years ago.
And while that clearly speaks to the obvious quality of the Whites star and the now-Aston Villa man respectively it also shines an impressive light on Farke.
Daniel Farke common denominator between Leeds United and Norwich attackers’ success
The German’s record in the Championship, twice finishing top with the Canaries, was a big reason why he was brought in at Elland Road following relegation.
And he looks to be repaying that faith after taking his Leeds side top on goal-difference ahead of the international break.
Rival managers might argue that Farke has been lucky to have the benefit of both Rutter, who would have been impossible to sign in the second tier, and Buendia, who was Aston Villa’s club-record buy in 2021 at £33million [Sky Sports] but it is still his job to use what he has at his disposal and clearly the Elland Road boss has got the best out of both.
Rutter, 21, had a miserable time at Leeds in the Premier League last time, recording a single assist in 11 appearances, and while the drop down to the Championship is considerable he has thrived under Farke he seemed a contender to leave the club in the summer, registering a total of six goals and 17 league assists in 37 games.
He can certainly still improve on his own finishing however, with Buendia netting 15 times in the victorious promotion campaign by comparison, but if the Whites do go up Rutter will be as big a reason as any on the pitch.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites may have a transfer advantage in the race to sign a “devastating” in-demand talent this summer.
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