Danny Murphy is surprised Brighton paid £40million to sign Georginio Rutter from Leeds United in the summer.
Speaking on talkSPORT with Danny Kelly and Darren Lewis (2 September), Murphy highlighted Rutter’s unpredictability and inconsistency during his time at Elland Road, saying that he wasn’t worth such a fee.
Rutter was the most expensive of several big-money transfers at Brighton this summer, but Murphy noted that during Leeds’ last spell in the Premier League, he was often left on the Elland Road bench.
Murphy said: “They’ve spent a hell of a lot this summer – I was surprised that they spent what they did on Rutter from Leeds. I’ve seen quite a lot of him and he is talented, but he is unpredictable and inconsistent.”
Lewis responded to this statement, asking: “You don’t think he’s worth the money?”
Murphy replied: “No. That’s a hell of a lot of money for someone who was on the Leeds bench a lot.
Leeds United must bounce back after Georginio Rutter transfer
Brighton being willing to spend £40million on Rutter this summer may have raised Murphy’s eyebrows, but the Elland Road faithful will be wishing that the Peacocks had got much, much more for the forward.
Rutter, 22, may have only netted eight goals in his entire Whites career, but he was one of the most creative players in the Championship last season with a league-high 16 assists for Daniel Farke’s side.
his first six months in a United shirt, but that came amidst difficult circumstances as Leeds fell out of the Premier League with a whimper in 2023.
Replenishing the absence of Rutter, as well as Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray, in the squad has been a trying task for Farke in recent weeks, with no clear replacement for Rutter’s unique style of play.
The returning Brenden Aaronson has had a bright start to his first campaign back in United colours and may prove to be the long-term successor to Rutter, but the jury is still out on whether Farke’s side are stronger or weaker than last season.
