Farke could land lethal Rutter partner in Leeds swoop for £26k-p/w EFL star
In preparation for their FA Cup away match against Peterborough United on Sunday, Leeds United is getting ready to take a vacation from the grind of fighting for automatic promotion to the Premier League. It was reported last summer that the Whites were interested in signing the center-forward.
In order to avoid having to earn their place back in the top division through the play-offs, the Whites are battling for a top two finish in the Championship.
Daniel Farke’s team has only won two of their previous six games, leaving them seven points behind Ipswich Town in second place. They have also squandered several chances to cut that deficit.
Leeds transfer news – Josh Sargent
By rekindling his interest in a deal to capture his former striker Josh Sargent from Norwich City, the head coach of the Whites may accomplish that on a regular basis.
The USA international was being considered by Farke to bolster his strike force ahead of the 2023–24 season, according to a report published by Football Insider last summer.
The report went on to say that the 49ers were willing to support a proposal to lure him away from the Canaries, although it was unclear how much that would have cost.
But in August 2023, Sargent sustained a major ankle injury against Huddersfield, which put an end to any hopes of leaving Norfolk at that moment.
| Statistic | Rutter vs Birmingham (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
| Sofascore rating | 7.7 |
| Duels won | Nine |
| Dribbles completed | One |
| Chances created | Three |
| Shots | Five |
The French wizard has improved his ball handling skills, according to Farke, which has allowed him to play deeper in the number ten position because he is less likely to give up the ball easily than he was earlier in the season.
Rutter’s season in numbers
For the Whites this season, the 21-year-old wizard has been outstanding as a center-forward and in his new position as a creative spark at the top of the pitch.
Since Leeds were demoted from the Premier League at the end of the previous season, he has been one of the top creators in the Championship.
As you can see in the graphic below, the twenty-year-old struggled in the top tier during his first few months of playing English football after signing with Jesse Marsch from Hoffenheim in January 2023.
| Georgino Rutter (via Sofascore) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 11 |
| Starts | One |
| Goals | Zero |
| Assists | One |
| Big chances created | Zero |
These statistics show that the young dynamo is a sensational creative talent who has the ability to consistently unlock opposition defences to create high-quality opportunities for his teammates.
The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Sargent
But the drop to the second division has made it possible for him to thrive while wearing a Leeds shirt. This season, he has started 24 league games for the team and has tallied four goals and nine assists.
To give you an idea of how good his final third passing is, only Abdul Fatawu of Leicester has created more ‘big opportunities’ (19) than Rutter (17) in the Championship thus far this season.
In fact, the Whites star’s assists (0.39), expected assisted goals (0.37), and shot-creating actions (4.53) per 90 are all among the top 1% of his positional counterparts in the division.
| Sargent’s 2022/23 scoring record by position (via Transfermarkt) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Appearances | Goals |
| Centre-forward | 19 | Nine |
| Right winger | 11 | Two |
| Attacking midfielder | Three | One |
| Central midfielder | Two | One |
| Left winger | Two | Zero |
| Second striker | One | Zero |
| Left midfielder | One | Zero |
In spite of his terrible injury, Sargent also has an outstanding record in front of goal in the Championship during the 2023–24 season. His 13 goals also came from just 10.41 xG (Expected Goals), demonstrating how merciless the Canaries star was in front of goal with the opportunities that did come his way.
The 23-year-old star has produced four goals and one assist in six league appearances, which includes four starts, for Norwich this term.
He has four goals from 2.62 xG and this means that the Leeds target has plundered 17 goals from 13.03 xG in the division since the start of last season.
These statistics suggest that Sargent is a lethal EFL centre-forward who could make the most of Rutter’s creativity. Whereas, Patrick Bamford has one goal from 1.96 xG and Joel Piroe has nine goals from 10.27 xG this season.
Therefore, Farke should reignite his interest in the £26k-per-week ace, who was hailed as a “phenomenal” talent by teammate Ashley Barnes, as he could form a terrific partnership with the French whiz with their respective qualities in the final third
But on Monday, they defeated Wayne Rooney’s team 3-0 at Elland Road, and they easily defeated Birmingham City. As a result, the former England international was relieved of his responsibilities.
In order to give Georgia Rutter more freedom to roam around the pitch and cause havoc in the last part of the game, Farke decided to deploy him in a new role in which he operated behind Patrick Bamford.
Leeds transfer news – Josh Sargent
By rekindling his interest in a deal to capture his former striker Josh Sargent from Norwich City, the head coach of the Whites may accomplish that on a regular basis.
The USA international was being considered by Farke to bolster his strike force ahead of the 2023–24 season, according to a report published by Football Insider last summer.
The report went on to say that the 49ers were willing to support a proposal to lure him away from the Canaries, although it was unclear how much that would have cost.
But any possibility of moving away from Norfolk at that time was dashed when Sargent sustained a catastrophic ankle injury against Huddersfield in August 2023.
| Statistic | Rutter vs Birmingham (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
| Sofascore rating | 7.7 |
| Duels won | Nine |
| Dribbles completed | One |
| Chances created | Three |
| Shots | Five |
The French wizard, according to Farke, has improved his ball handling skills and is now able to play deeper in the number ten position since he is less likely to give up the ball easily than he was earlier in the season.
Rutter’s season in numbers
The 21-year-old magician has been in terrific form this season for the Whites, both as a centre-forward and in his new role, as a creative spark at the top end of the pitch.
He has been one of the outstanding creators in the Championship since Leeds were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.
Jesse Marsch signed him from Hoffenheim in January 2023 and the then-20-year-old struggled in the top-flight during his first few months in English football, as you can see in the table below.
| 22/23 Premier League | Georgino Rutter (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 11 |
| Starts | One |
| Goals | Zero |
| Assists | One |
| Big chances created | Zero |
But the drop to the second division has made it possible for him to thrive while wearing a Leeds shirt. This season, he has started 24 league games for the team and has tallied four goals and nine assists.
To give you an idea of how good his final third passing is, only Abdul Fatawu of Leicester has created more ‘big opportunities’ (19) than Rutter (17) in the Championship thus far this season.
In fact, the Whites star’s assists (0.39), expected assisted goals (0.37), and shot-creating actions (4.53) per 90 are all among the top 1% of his positional counterparts in the division.
These figures demonstrate the youthful dynamo’s extraordinary creative ability, which allows him to regularly penetrate opponent defences and create excellent opportunities for
The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Sargent
By completing a deal to sign Sargent from Norwich, Leeds could now provide him with a deadly companion at the top of the pitch. Sargent would be able to lead the team’s line and free up Rutter to play as a number ten all the time.
The USA international scored 13 goals in 40 games during the 2022–2023 season, showcasing his goal-scoring ability at the championship level.
But the teenage striker only appeared in 19 of those games as a center-forward, which is his favoured position, and he scored nine goals in those contests.
| Sargent’s 2022/23 scoring record by position (via Transfermarkt) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Appearances | Goals |
| Centre-forward | 19 | Nine |
| Right winger | 11 | Two |
| Attacking midfielder | Three | One |
| Central midfielder | Two | One |
| Left winger | Two | Zero |
| Second striker | One | Zero |
| Left midfielder | One | Zero |