Leeds United sold Georginio Rutter to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer after an incredible 2023/24 campaign for the 22-year-old in the Championship last term.
Losing in the play-offs was always likely to have consequences for Leeds and has led to the departures of some key players, with Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville, and Rutter all departing Elland Road in recent months.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on promotion via the play-offs, and the subsequent departures since, there is an air of optimism surrounding Leeds as they enter the new season, but they would have been hoping to retain Rutter for another season after their chief creator registered 18 assists last season.
Brighton’s interest was persistent, following an offer of £30 million being rejected by Leeds earlier in the summer, as per Leeds Live. David Ornstein of The Athletic then revealed he had a £40 million release clause, which Brighton eventually activated two games into Leeds’ season.
| Georginio Rutter’s career stats – per FBref | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Stade Rennais | 2020/21 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Hoffenheim | 2020/21 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Hoffenheim | 2021/22 | 36 | 8 | 5 |
| Hoffenheim | 2022/23 | 17 | 2 | 3 |
| Leeds United | 2022/23 | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| Leeds United | 2023/24 | 53 | 8 | 18 |
| Leeds United | 2024/25 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Brighton and Hove Albion | 2024/25 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Georginio Rutter leaves Leeds United with creative void to fill
There’s no doubt that the Frenchman was one of Leeds’ best players and one of the Championship’s best creators, and that they will be much worse off without him. Leeds have been stung yet again by a release clause, much like with Summerville and Gray.
Rutter is one of many Leeds players to have benefitted from relegation and develop well, with regular football. Following a club-record arrival from Hoffenheim in January 2023, the 22-year-old had initially struggled to adapt to the Leeds team and Premier League.
Rutter proved he had the ability to be a difference-maker and match-winner, and often was for Daniel Farke. The German found a way to use him and get the best out of him. Rutter works best with space to turn into to attack the box, or is good at running in the channels. He is a very direct dribbler, and not a hold-up striker.
Leeds first used him as a centre-forward when he arrived at the club, but he is less able to do the things he is best at, as he is often tasked with pinning the opposition centre-back, which is not a strength of his game, and likely never will be.
That’s despite his large frame and ability to ride challenges by bouncing off players with his sheer physicality, as Rutter’s eye for a pass, as well as his ability to turn and dribble to evade pressure, made him one of the most dynamic and threatening forwards in the league.
The 22-year-old’s skill-set is far more technical than most second tier players, and has been part of the reason he can dominate his opponent. Leeds wanted to build around him and the club even entered talks to plead with Rutter to remain, but it was always likely to be the case that he would snub a contract offer with Leeds and sign for Brighton, per Alex Crook.
Leeds will now be searching for a replacement for Rutter within their ranks, who proved a very influential figure in Farke’s side last season. The likes of Jaidon Anthony and Summerville have been replaced in the first-team by Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani, and the return of Brenden Aaronson from loan.
However, it is unclear if they are the right profiles in terms of a creative passer who can break lines or conjure up a moment of magic from very little.
Looking at Mateusz Klich’s last few seasons in MLS with DC United since his exit from Leeds United in 2023.
Georginio Rutter’s start to life at Brighton
Fabian Hürzeler’s side are likely to bed the former Leeds talent in slowly, and have brought him off the bench in both of his first two games for the club. He was bright in the final moments against Manchester United after coming on during the 90th minute, with Brighton’s Joao Pedro notching a 95th minute winner at the death.
Losing Rutter is a huge blow for Leeds, as he has the ability to operate in various roles, including as a striker or winger throughout his career. For Leeds, he was initially signed to play as a centre-forward, but it was quickly realised that it was a less optimal way of utilising him.
Last season, he was deployed as a central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 for the most part with the Whites. However, many believe his best work comes when he has the freedom to express himself and move from out-to-in to attack the box, and Rutter was used there against Man United.
The forward failed to score in his 11 Premier League appearances for Leeds after they mis-profiled him, but it appears Brighton plan to play him from the right-hand side. He went from strength-to-strength under Farke in the Championship, and played his way back into the top-flight, but could be even more useful from the right and cutting inside.
However, after a solid start against the Red Devils, Rutter struggled in an earlier substitute appearance against a ten-man Arsenal side. He was introduced on 71 minutes and had longer to express himself and work his magic.
Despite Brighton ending the game strong at the Emirates, Rutter was wasteful with three separate shots, and misplaced both of his passes late on, per FotMob. He won all three of his individual duels (two aerial, one ground), but struggled to get into the game and meaningfully impact it when Brighton were on top.
There is plenty of time for him to acclimatise to his new team and role, and Rutter will have easier games than Arsenal and Man United.
The questions remain: how much will Leeds miss him this season, and will Brighton see value for money?
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