Leeds United manager Daniel Farke will face his former player Georginio Rutter for the first time on Saturday afternoon since the Frenchman left Elland Road last year.
Rutter was one of the most important players in the Leeds squad that came within a whisker of promotion last season, only to lose the playoff final against Southampton.
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The Frenchman surprisingly left Leeds in the summer when it seemed he would stay when Brighton triggered the release clause in his contract, and he has been an important player for the Seagulls over the last year.
Rutter will be taking on his former manager and former side for the first time on Saturday afternoon when Leeds travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton.
Daniel Farke believes Georginio Rutter is not a finished product
The Leeds manager admitted that he has been happy to see his former player progress at Brighton and believes his game has taken some giant strides.
He insisted that Rutter was a joy to work with, not only because of his talent but also for his enthusiasm for the game and his willingness to improve and progress as a player.
Farke doesn’t believe that he is the finished product, and there is more to come from the 23-year-old forward. But stressed that Rutter is on his way to becoming a superstar.
“Really well”, Farke said in a press conference.
“I think there were one or two unlucky injury situations, but overall, he has progressed really well.
“It was a joy when we had him because he was not just full of quality and potential, but he was like a young horse.
“He was wild, full of energy, and it was a joy to work with him because he always wanted to improve and progress. It is what he has done, and he is an important player for them.
“He is still not the finished product, and there is even more to come.
“He is developing into a superstar at this level.”
Rutter is yet to explode in the Premier League
The Frenchman has been a regular in the team this season. However, he has yet to really explode despite providing glimpses of his talent occasionally.
He has started six of Brighton’s eight Premier League games, but he has to score a goal this season. He has registered three assists, but more is expected from him.
The Frenchman scored five times in the Premier League last season and had three assists to his name. Rutter is still finding his feet in the top flight.
However, he remains dangerous and has the talent to expose any Premier League defence, which Leeds would have to guard against on Saturday.
Leeds are well aware of his mercurial talent and his ability to make something out of nothing. Farke will hope that Rutter does not turn up this weekend.
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