David Prutton believes that one Leeds United player has won fans over this season after a difficult start to life at Elland Road following his arrival in 2023.
Relegation saw Leeds fans lose faith in a whole host of players after such a dismal couple of years in the Premier League. The Whites survived relegation in 2021-22, but only by the absolute skin of their teeth.
Victor Orta and the club decided that new signings were needed to give Jesse Marsch every chance possible of avoiding another relegation fight. Cash was spent, but somehow Leeds were even worse.
One of those signings was Georginio Rutter with the Frenchman joining from Hoffenheim for a club-record fee. But he managed just one Premier League start during the second half of the 2022-23 season.
This term, Rutter has been sublime. He has 21 goals and assists in 43 games but he is the player that creates out of nothing. Jon Newsome was stunned as Rutter won a penalty at Middlesbrough by himself.
Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton picked his Championship Team of the Year on Sky Sports and included Rutter, alongside Joe Rodon and Crysencio Summerville.
And the pundit explained why he included Rutter, saying that after a difficult start he has now won the supporters over at Elland Road.
David Prutton says Georginio Rutter has won Leeds fans over
Choosing Rutter over the likes of Adam Armstrong, Che Adams and Jamie Vardy, Prutton said: “He has shown his adaptability, can play as a 10, as a 9. The powerful running he has shown befits his confidence.
“He has provided a real totemic presence at the front, big physical specimen, strong on the ball, strong in the tackle, infectious smile I know has got a lot of Leeds fans on board,” Prutton added on Sky Sports.
Rutter has been incredible for Leeds and with two massive games left, Leeds will need to rely on the star in order to get maximum points and keep the pressure on Ipswich. Starting with QPR on Friday evening.
Rutter’s recent form is coming under the microscope
While Rutter has been excellent for Leeds this season, his form in the last few weeks has not been what it was at other points. The stats show Rutter struggled despite winning a penalty against Middlesbrough.
Aidy White thinks Rutter should have been dropped against Blackburn. Leeds need the assist machine that deserved his place in the Championship’s official Team of the Season against QPR on Friday night.
A win against Marti Cifuentes’ side will see Leeds go four points clear of Ipswich, although The Tractor Boys will have two games in hand by the time they go up against Hull City on Saturday afternoon.