Leeds United winger Dan James and forward Georginio Rutter have both been included in the EFL’s Team of the Week for this week’s round of Championship fixtures following the Whites’ 3-0 demolition of Watford over the weekend.
Saturday’s contest was one which Leeds dominated from kick-off to the final whistle, with every member of Daniel Farke’s starting XI arguably being eligible candidates for Team of the Week selection.
🔥 Georginio and Dan James have been named in the latest @SkyBetChamp TOTW after their performances against Watford pic.twitter.com/RMZN10RN5m
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 26, 2023
Rutter – who joined the Whites from Hoffenheim for a club record £35m fee in January – was unplayable on the day despite not finding himself on the score sheet, with all sorts of trickery and skill on the ball on display.
Whilst a whole show reel could be made from Rutter’s bits of quality against the Hornets alone, it was his role in the build up to the Whites’ third goal which really stood out. Picking the ball up in his own half, the 21-year-old weaved around two Watford players, slipping summer signing Jaidon Anthony in with a perfectly weighted through ball.
As Anthony wheeled away in celebration having scored the goal which guaranteed the three points for his side, it was chants of Rutter’s name which echoed around an enraptured Elland Road.
Welsh international James also retained his place in Farke’s XI following on from a difficult match against Hull City in midweek, and more than justified his selection.
A player often criticised for his lack of end product, this couldn’t have been further from the truth on Saturday as James notched two assists. The first, a delicious cross to the back post to find Joel Piroe, helped set the Whites on their way to a well-earned win.
Rutter finds himself named in the Team of the Week for the second time in the last six days, after he found himself included after his side’s 3-0 victory against Millwall alongside Piroe and goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds travel to St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday to face an out-of-form Saints side, with a win over their pre-season promotion rivals being the perfect way to prove that Daniel Farke’s side are serious about promotion this season.
