Daniel Farke has issued his verdict on the performance of Georginio Rutter after Leeds United’s win over Birmingham City, noting that he has now improved in so many ways.
Georginio Rutter did not get on the scoresheet on Monday, but he was excellent in the number 10 role for the Whites as we secured a 3-0 win to kick off 2024.
Daniel Farke has persisted with Georginio playing as the number nine for much of this season. But the Frenchman usually needs little encouragement to go and drop deep and get involved in the build-up play.
Daniel Farke praises Georginio Rutter after Leeds win
So it was little surprise that he had no problem playing behind Patrick Bamford on Monday. And Farke suggested – in comments reported by Leeds Live – that he was delighted with the 21-year-old’s performance as Leeds got their Championship promotion push back on track.
“Played him more and more in a deeper role. Put him more deeper because we got the feeling he has improved in many areas,” he said. “Fitness levels for covering more ground. Tidiness with the ball and his confidence levels. Tight areas he lost the ball before, but positional discipline is there. If he plays like this he can do it. Today he fulfilled it in a nearly perfect way. Helped to have a target like Patrick in attack.”
Position change has been a long time coming
For many, Georginio dropping into the number 10 role has been a long time coming. Joel Piroe is the more natural goalscorer, having arrived in the summer with a proven record in the second tier with Swansea City.
Farke suggested that Georginio could probably be into double figures for this season already. But he has only scored four times in the league.
However, he has nine assists. He is one of the most prolific players in the division on that front. So having him in the number 10 role makes a lot of sense.
It will be interesting to see whether that change is a permanent one, and what impact it potentially has on Joel Piroe.
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