Why Georginio Rutter is 'not happy' at Brighton ahead of Leeds United return
The attacking midfielder returns to Elland Road for the first time in two years on Sunday when Leeds United host Brighton.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler knows Georginio Rutter is ‘not happy’ with his lack of minutes ahead of Sunday’s likely emotional return to Leeds United.
Former fan-favourite Rutter left Elland Road in a £40million deal almost two years ago but has fallen out of favour more recently. The 24-year-old has started just one of his side’s last seven Premier League games, with five substitute appearances averaging just over 13 minutes per introduction.
His three goals this season have all come against Leeds’ previous relegation rivals in West Ham, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur. The Whites are, of course, now mathematically safe and welcome Rutter’s Brighton to Elland Road for their final home game of the season on Sunday - a game which could also feature James Milner.
“I feel that he's in a good place, of course he's not happy with his game, that's normal,” Hurzeler told Sussex World of Rutter. “But I feel that he's there for the teammates, that he's there for the club and that's the most important, that everyone puts their ego behind the success of the club.”
Rutter could be in line to benefit from a fresh Brighton injury blow this weekend. Hurzeler also confirmed star winger Kaoru Mitoma will miss out due to a hamstring injury, leaving a space open out wide.
Diego Gomez, who scored twice in a 3-0 win over Leeds in October, could start after recovering from a knee injury. But Rutter, whose preferred No.10 role is occupied by the in-form Jack Hinshelwood, might also fancy a shift out wide in an area where Leeds are struggling with injury.
“That's what I always emphasise, it's team first and there are some moments you have to put your ego behind,” Hurzeler added. “We just spoke about Maxime De Cuyper. He's a great example, he's a big player and played several games for Belgium, but he didn't play many minutes for us because Ferdi [Kadioglu] did well.
“Mats Wieffer did well and now we missed Mats the last weeks and Maxim replaced him in a very impressive way. You can only do this if you train hard every day, if you put the ego behind and emphasise the value togetherness and that's what I praise the team day by day and that's just a prime example for that.
“So regarding Georginio, he's in a good place. I know he's not happy about his game minutes but he's 100 per cent committed. 100 per cent wanting to contribute the best impact he can do towards the team and therefore I'm really pleased how he's doing.”