Georginio Rutter is being linked with a return to Hoffenheim from Leeds United and now, the French star has been awarded the Hoffenheim Goal of the Season award for the 22-23 campaign for his strike against Bayer Leverkusen.
Rutter, 21, joined Leeds from Hoffenheim for a club-record fee in January. He has since managed 13 outings for the Whites, but only one start in the Premier League. The Frenchman is yet to score for Leeds, laying on just one assist.
German newspaper Bild claim Hoffenheim are keen on luring him back to the Bundesliga from Leeds this summer. Most likely, on loan. It is unclear as to what Rutter wants to do, but Phil Hay thinks the plan is for Rutter to remain.
On Monday, though, Hoffenheim announced their goal of the season award – and gave it to a player that is no longer at the club, in Rutter. They posted a clip of the winning goal, his gorgeous strike in a 3-0 win over Bayer in August.
Leeds star Rutter awarded Hoffenheim goal of the season award
This could be a clever way of tempting Rutter with a return to Hoffenheim. Clearly, it is a moment in which Rutter was showing the best version of himself – perhaps an attempt to remind the Frenchman of his time in Germany.
Should Rutter stay, or go? Rutter will feel that he is yet to get going at Leeds and will have unfinished business at Elland Road. A drop into the Championship would give him the platform to reinstall that confidence, and shine.
Then, perhaps in the event of a return to the Premier League, Rutter would have the confidence and faith of Leeds fans to go again. If he struggles in the second tier, it goes the other way. A return to Hoffenheim is the safe option.
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