He is not thought of well among Leeds United fans, but Victor Orta perhaps deserves a slice of praise for our win over Norwich – in his signings of Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto and Georginio Rutter.
Leeds came from behind to win 3-2 on Saturday, after going into the break two goals down. It was a typical Leeds goal of this season at least, to get the ball rolling. Rutter picked up space in the middle.
Driving forward, he fed Dan James and the Welshman – signed really, due to Marcelo Bielsa’s love for him – saw his cross deflected in by Shane Duffy. Rutter played a key role in the first and then the third.
The second came after quick thinking from Gnonto, who fed Summerville. He curled home his third goal of 23-24. The winner; Rutter and Summerville. Rutter’s perfectly-weighted pass set Summerville free.
The Dutchman did the rest, curling home the winner. Now, let’s get it right. Orta deserves the criticism he has got from Leeds fans. Some woeful decisions in the transfer market, and his strange celebrations.
Spending big on the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Diego Llorente, Junior Firpo and plenty of other poor signings. The loan clauses then included in contracts left Leeds in the lurch, in the summer.
Orta deserves praise as Leeds trio shine on Saturday at Norwich
But, Orta and his scouting network are also responsible for some wonderful signings, on the cheap. Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Raphinha and more. Gnonto, another example. Summerville, maybe the best.
He bought Summerville for £1.3m from Feyenoord when he was 18, a complete unknown. Gnonto, for less than £5m, another unknown – at least, in England. Rutter again, an unknown in English football.
But all three were crucial to our win on Saturday. While Rutter was expensive, he is at least coming good and has probably been our best player this season. He created two goals, even if it was just one assist.
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