The £88m transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea may have hogged the Premier League news headlines over the weekend, with the acquisition of the Ukrainian likely to make punters a little more eager to support the struggling Blues on their favourite new betting site.
However, the huge money move for Mudryk was not the only transfer to be given the green light. Elsewhere, Leeds United smashed the club’s transfer record with the £35.5m capture of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.
Leeds Building for the Second Half of the Season
Having ended the 2021/22 campaign in 17th spot, just one position and three points above the relegation zone, many Leeds fans will likely be happy to see the side currently sitting 14th in the table.
Their position does however remain a precarious one, with the Elland Road club only two points above the drop zone, and with the joint-fourth-worst defensive record in the league.
Boss Jesse Marsch will be hoping the capture of Austrian international Max Wober goes some way towards alleviating the side’s defensive woes, and now seems to have turned his attention to the other end of the pitch.
As the top scorers in the bottom half of the table, Leeds would not appear to have obvious offensive problems at first glance. However, with Patrick Bamford continually plagued by injury, options in the striking positions are beginning to look a little thin on the ground. Having captured 19-year-old Italian international forward Wilfried Gnonto in the summer and missed out on the likes of Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng, Rutter has been identified as the next man to join the attacking roster.
Five-and-a-Half-Year Deal
Rutter joins on a five-and-a-half-year deal, set to run until the summer of 2028 – continuing the recent trend of longer initial deals being handed out. The fee meanwhile is a reported £35.5m, comfortably ahead of the previous Leeds United record of £27m which went to Valencia for the signing of Rodrigo in August of 2020.
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Brings the Entertainment Factor
At first glance, Rutter’s stats make for solid rather than spectacular reading. In 57 appearances for Hoffenheim, the French U21 international chipped in with eleven goals, with his tally for the current season standing at just 2 goals in 15 appearances. Clear room for improvement in that regard, although it should be remembered that Rutter is still only 20 years of age and has plenty of time on his side.
There is however a lot more than just goals to Rutter’s game. A fact outlined by the player himself, who stated, “I run and I bring a lot of energy to the pitch. I like dribbling and playing beautifully, scoring goals and getting assists.”
It is with the ball at his feet that Rutter is at his best. So good in fact that, during the current Bundesliga season, he boasts more completed dribbles than any other player. No mean feat in a section containing Jamal Musiala and many other supremely talented dribblers.
A hugely exciting player to watch, Rutter at least seems likely to get the Leeds fans out of their seats, and if able to add a little end product to his game, may well prove to be the man to propel the side away from danger in the second half of the season.
His former club certainly seem a little sorry to see him go, with Hoffenheim director of football Alexander Rosen stating, “….of course we regret the premature departure of this highly talented player, who is not only a great guy but also has the ability to provide spectacular moments on the pitch.”
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