Last summer was not a good time to be a Leeds United fan. Luckily, this season seems to have wiped away the events of a season to forget from last year.
In Daniel Farke’s first season in charge, Leeds were contenders for promotion. The club fought hard and kept themselves in the run in, however a few slip ups cost them automatic promotion. The Whites had to feature in the Championship play-off final, suffering a painful loss to Southampton.
The defeat set off a chain of events that summer. Leeds lost many players during the transfer window. In what was almost a clear-out, a lot of players were released from the club. Not all the exits were as free agents; Premier League clubs came in and snapped up some of the Whites’ best performing talents from last year’s campaign.
QUIZ: Can you name the missing player from these 10 famous Leeds United photos?
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Former Leeds United opens up on time at Elland Road
Credit: Imago Images
Leeds lost Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter. Even though the club benefitted financially, with some of the funds balancing the books, the fans were dealt a huge blow. Losing home grown talent like Archie Gray and Summerville was a tough loss.
Brighton triggered Rutter’s release clause very late in the transfer window, and a deal was completed in a matter of days.
Recounting the events of last summer, the French attacker has spoken on his time at Leeds United and how it has shaped him:
“When you play for Leeds there is a big pressure to win every game and you have to give them (the fans) something back,” he said to the Brighton website.
“So when I came here, I was more ready and able to carry on that mentality.
“It helped me a lot having already played for a big club and having gone there for a big fee.
Rutter also added how he was able to change his fortunes at Elland Road.
“My first season there was not great, but the second season was much better.
“I felt freer given my form had turned around, and I have been able to continue that way since I came here.”
Rutter was ultimately a good investment
Regardless of how poor his first year went, signing Rutter actually paid off for the club. He developed into a decent player, with the team pocketing a decent profit for him. Not many clubs can boast of that.
Leeds could repeat this with Illan Meslier this summer, as the Frenchman is edging towards an exit.
