Georginio Rutter had doubts about joining Premier League strugglers Leeds United during the January transfer window but was encouraged to leave Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim by his agent, Kicker reports.
If there was one player who did not deserve to be on the losing side during Leeds’ 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Fulham last week, it was their club-record £35 million signing.
Rutter produced his best performance for the Yorkshire giants at Craven Cottage; a constant menace with his speed and movement, clipping the woodwork with a wonderful looping header. It is no coincidence that Javi Gracia’s side lost their thrust and their threat when Rutter was subbed off with around 30 minutes to go.
Rutter failed to complete the full 90 again during Saturday’s galling 1-0 loss at Chelsea; dragged off even when Leeds needed a goal. Now, with relegation a very real possibility, the France U21 international may be wondering if this was the right move at the right time for a man who exploded onto the Bundesliga scene last term.
Georginio Rutter enduring slow start at Leeds United
Rutter, Kicker say, ‘didn’t really want to leave’ Hoffenheim during the January window. The Brittany-born speedster eventually accepted after being convinced by his agent Roger Wittmann. But a difficult start to life in his new Elland Road home may raise further doubts about whether a Leeds side in the midst of a gruelling survival fight was really the ideal destination for a talented but inexperienced player still learning his trade.
That eye-watering price-tag, meanwhile, only serves to slap even more pressure upon Rutter’s shoulders.
Tyler Adams, who knows Rutter from his time on German soil, believes the former Rennes starlet will come good.
“He has the qualities to succeed here,” Adams tells the BBC. “I had the opportunity to play against him in the Bundesliga. I was always wondering; ‘who is this kid? Where is he from?’
“I see him in training. He’s comfortable under pressure, he can play with both feet. He’s not afraid to go at you. That’s the kind of attackers you want, you want guys that are going to keep defenders at their heels. He’s going to be an important player for us.”
