The Frenchman is deserving of another chance in the Premier League.
Leeds United’s injury issues may have worsened in the 5-1 loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, with Patrick Bamford pulled off in the second half due to a knock.
According to Adam Pope of the BBC’s Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the 29-year-old forward was playing with a minor injury against Roy Hodgson’s team and had to be substituted in the second half because he “wasn’t moving well.”
Javi Gracia has favored the Englishman in his attack throughout his tenure at Elland Road, with top scorer Rodrigo frequently left on the bench as he returns to full health following an injury layoff.
While the degree of Bamford’s injury is unknown, the Spanish boss may be without his first choice for upcoming games, which could be devastating to Leeds’ chances of staying in the Premier League.
This could leave the former Watford manager unsure of who to start up front against Liverpool on Monday, but given the Reds’ recent defensive struggles, as well as their dismal record away from Anfield, where they have won just three of their 15 away games, Gracia should see the game as an ideal opportunity to pick up some points.
With a counter-attacking approach sure to cause issues for Jurgen Klopp’s side, Gracia may consider bringing in the rarely-seen Georginio Rutter, whose quickness could make him the ideal man to replace Bamford in the attack.
Should Rutter be given another chance at Leeds?
Rutter’s time at Elland Road has been a catastrophe thus far, with the 20-year-old starting only once in the Premier League since his club-record £35.5 million arrival from Hoffenheim in January.
Leeds and Victor Orta definitely saw something in the teenage striker, who has 11 goals and eight assists in 64 appearances for Hoffenheim, but he has yet to score or assist in 11 appearances for the Yorkshire club.
Leeds, on the other hand, cannot afford to lose up on him so early in his career, especially given that he is only 20 and has no previous experience in English football, so surely he should be given another chance to impress if Bamford is injured.
Jacek Kulig, a football talent scout, believes in Rutter’s ability and potential, describing the forward as a “clinical striker” with “blistering pace” in his appraisal of the Frenchman in 2022.
With tough games against Manchester City, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur remaining before the end of the season, Leeds may find that counter-attacking is their best chance of picking up points, and Rutter’s pace and finishing ability could make him the ideal man to keep Gracia’s side in the Premier League if the Spanish manager gives him another chance.
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