Leeds United rounded off pre-season with an impressive 2-1 win over Valencia on Saturday.
The Whites‘ victory over the La Liga side ensured a record of four wins in as many friendlies over the summer, ahead of the Championship opener against Portsmouth.
The weekend clash with Valencia was undoubtedly Leeds’ most impressive performance yet, taking into account the standard of opposition.
Leeds were thoroughly dominant throughout the 90 minutes and could’ve easily won by a bigger scoreline in the end, with their first half performance particularly impressive.
Daniel Farke‘s squad may now be without Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Glen Kamara from May’s play-off final defeat to Southampton, but it is still looking very strong.
Farke sheds light on ‘personal’ Georginio Rutter project
Mateo Joseph and Georginio Rutter were both on the scoresheet against Valencia and it would appear the former very much has the number nine spot nailed down right now.
Rutter, meanwhile, has been able to use pre-season as the catalyst to return to form, having struggled from the end of March onwards last term after surgery.
The 22-year-old has two goals and two assists across Leeds’ four friendlies, and completely ran Valencia ragged with his ball-carrying ability.
When Rutter is on-song like that, he is quite clearly unplayable at Championship level. On the other hand, when his flicks and tricks aren’t working, he can be very frustrating.
Speaking to Leeds Live after Saturday’s match, Farke says he has made Rutter a ‘personal project’ of his at Leeds, as he looks to help iron out those other parts of his game.
He said: “We work a lot on his positioning. It’s a personal project of myself. I also talk a lot to him in order to improve him, from his feeling for the game, when he can take risks because sometimes you could go crazy as a manager when he does his little flicks in our own half.
“He still a bit sometimes like a young horse who needs a bit of leadership and that everyone takes care of him, but he’s also so precious and so full of potential. Even today, it was like a young horse who was unplayable at times.”
Brighton cool interest in Leeds star Rutter
After such an impressive campaign in the Championship last season, which saw him register six goals and 15 assists in the league, there was interest in Rutter last month.
Brighton made an offer as high as £30 million for the Frenchman, though it was rejected by Leeds.
Leeds spent £35.5 million to sign him just over 18 months ago and so bids below that figure are unlikely to tempt 49ers into selling.
Given how key he is, it is good news to hear that Brighton have actually cooled their interest in Rutter since their bid was rejected.
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