Leeds United faced a notable distraction from their Championship endeavors during the week as they locked horns with Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
Despite a spirited effort, Leeds succumbed to a late goal from Conor Gallagher, resulting in a 3-2 defeat and an exit from the competition. Now, Daniel Farke’s side must swiftly shift their focus back to the Championship, with an upcoming clash against Huddersfield Town on the agenda.
As Farke contemplates potential adjustments to the starting lineup for the Huddersfield encounter, one player who demands inclusion is Georginio Rutter. The French forward should replace Joel Piroe following the latter’s underwhelming performance against Chelsea.
Piroe’s shortcomings in the Chelsea match were evident, with statistics highlighting his struggles on multiple fronts. Despite being selected alongside Mateo Joseph in the attack, Piroe failed to make a significant impact.
His 79 minutes on the field saw him lose the majority of his duels, both in the air and on the ground, showcasing vulnerability in physical battles. In addition, Piroe’s contributions in possession were lackluster, as he failed to register a shot on target or create a ‘big chance’ for his teammates.
While Piroe has notched 11 goals in the Championship this season, his finishing has been wasteful at times, as indicated by an Expected Goals (xG) of 11.69. Furthermore, his creative output has been subpar, with minimal key passes and a modest contribution to ‘big chances.’
In contrast, Georginio Rutter presents a compelling case for inclusion. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been a consistent creative force for Leeds in the Championship, ranking among the top assist providers for the team. With the ability to unlock opposition defenses, Rutter’s creativity could complement Mateo Joseph’s goal-scoring prowess.
Although Rutter, like Piroe, has room for improvement in finishing, his overall impact on the season has been more substantial. The French talent has been directly involved in 17 goals compared to Piroe’s 13 in the league, showcasing a greater influence on Leeds’ attacking output.
Additionally, Rutter enters the match in good form, having contributed two goals and three assists in his last five appearances across all competitions. This contrasts with Piroe’s recent disappointment against Chelsea, further supporting the case for Rutter’s inclusion.
Considering these statistics and the potential for Rutter to bring a dynamic creative element to the team, Farke should unleash the French attacker from the start against Huddersfield.
Ruthlessly sidelining Piroe in favor of Rutter could provide Leeds with the spark needed to secure a positive result in Yorkshire. The attacking midfielder’s form and creative prowess make him an enticing option to bolster Leeds United’s pursuit of success in the Championship.