Leeds United's French striker Georginio Rutter celebrates their win on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Southampton at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on February 25, 2023. - Leeds won the game 1-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Adam Pope of BBC Radio Leeds, Leeds United forward Georginio Rutter “needs help” up front to start finding the back of the net.
Rutter, who arrived at Elland Road in January for a club record £35.5 million from Hoffenheim, has struggled for goals. He has yet to score in six Premier League appearances for the Whites, and he frequently appears isolated in the no.9 slot he was presumably bought to occupy.
He has, however, come close. Rutter’s goal against Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round was controversially disallowed due to a push on Harry Wilson by Weston McKennie in the build-up. In the same game, he saw an impressive looping header hit the crossbar.
Overall though, the young Frenchman has failed to make an instant impact on the Elland Road faithful. The 20-year-old has been forced into action much sooner than perhaps even he expected however, after injuries to fellow strikers Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo saw him lead the line as part of the starting XI against Chelsea over the weekend.
Pope believes Rutter is a player of considerable technical ability, yet still needs time to adapt to a new style of play after transitioning to the Premier League from the Bundesliga.
“I think at times you could say he looks a bit isolated which you could also say about Bamford recently. The delivery wasn’t coming in either, very poor delivery-wise,” he said on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet Podcast.
“There was little for him to feed off. Not many sticks, he needs help.
At the moment it’s a mantle that seems too heavy for him I would say and we’re expecting too much on the back of Rodrigo and Bamford not being available at this point. It doesn’t look like he’s ready for that role for me right now.”
Rutter will be hoping he can end his search for a first Leeds goal when Roberto De Zerbi’s high-flying Brighton side travel to face the Whites at Elland Road this Saturday.
