Micah Richards has told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club that he cannot understand Leeds United’s decision to sign Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee from Hoffenheim in the January window – with relegation a possibility.
Rutter, 21, has endured a difficult start to life at Elland Road since his move from the Bundesliga. The French striker has managed just one League start since his arrival, also starting against Fulham and Accrington in the FA Cup.
But he has failed to score, or even assist. He was unlucky in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham, hitting the post – and having a goal disallowed. An apparent foul from Weston McKennie, which was harsh. Since, he has been a sub.
Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford have since been preferred up top, with Javi Gracia preferring to use one striker. The striker has been used sparingly since, an unused sub at Fulham in the League on Saturday. Richards commented.
“Rutter signed for a lot of money and he’s not even getting a kick. You sign a 21-year-old to almost stand in for or replace Bamford and he’s not played. When you talk about a plan, I do not understand what the plan was.
“Surely if you are spending that sort of money, you get someone ready-made or on loan to see you out to the end of the season, then you go again. If they go to the Championship, God knows how long it will take them to get back.”
Micah Richards can’t understand Leeds decision to sign Georginio Rutter
Rutter has plenty of potential and there have been glimpses, now and then. But so far, they have been few and far between. It is unclear if he is even better as a no.9, a striker, or out wide where he was often used at Hoffenheim.
Leeds paid a big fee for Rutter. So, it is more than likely that he is going to be given a chance, even if the club do go down to the Championship – and time is on his side. But with Leeds close to the drop, he was not the right signing.
