Leeds United were aware that missing out on promotion back to the Premier League would put them in a vulnerable position to lose key players. After falling short in the play-off final against Southampton, the Whites are now bracing for another season in the Championship.
Daniel Farke has already seen one of his top players, Archie Gray, leave for Tottenham Hotspur in a £40m deal. Joe Rodon also made his loan move permanent for £10m, but Leeds had to bid farewell to one of their regular starters at right-back.
According to Football Insider, three more players – Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, and Crysencio Summerville – are expected to leave Elland Road before the transfer window closes. The club is willing to accept significant offers for them and reinvest the money into the squad.
Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly preparing a second bid for Rutter after Leeds rejected their initial £30m offer. Losing the French midfielder, described as a “monster” by Lee Hendrie, would have a bigger impact on the team compared to Summerville’s departure.
Rutter is crucial to Farke’s system, acting as the linchpin in their attacking play. His ability to create chances and link up with teammates is vital for the team’s fluidity in the final third. Summerville’s goals and assists in the previous season were largely influenced by Rutter’s playmaking abilities.
The stats show that Rutter was more involved in progressing play forward and setting up scoring opportunities. Without him, the team might struggle to replicate the same level of creativity and productivity.
Therefore, selling Rutter, who contributed significantly to the team’s success in the Championship, would be a bigger blow than losing Summerville. His departure would disrupt the team’s dynamics and affect their overall performance, making it a challenging loss to recover from.
