£35m Leeds star has been 'worse than disappointing' this season.

Leeds United's highly anticipated signing, Georginio Rutter, has struggled to make an impact this season, leading to disappointment among fans and pundits. The 21-year-old French forward arrived at Elland Road from German side Hoffenheim for a club-record fee of £35 million during the January transfer window. However, Rutter has been limited to minimal playing time, raising questions about the wisdom of investing in a young, unproven player lacking Premier League experience. Journalist Dean Jones suggests that Rutter's underwhelming performances could result in a loan move in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Rutter's Lackluster Season:

Since joining Leeds United, Rutter has only started a single Premier League game and has played a total of 242 minutes across all competitions. Given the club's previous relegation battle and their current fight to avoid a similar fate, the decision to sign a young prospect with limited experience seemed questionable. While Rutter undoubtedly possesses talent and potential, his development may not align with the team's immediate needs as they strive to secure their Premier League status.

Jones' Assessment:

Journalist Dean Jones offers a scathing assessment of Rutter's performances this season, labeling them as "worse than disappointing." He expresses little surprise at the possibility of Rutter being loaned out in the summer if Leeds United manages to avoid relegation. Jones highlights that Rutter's contributions might become more valuable in a lower league but implies that his current skill set may not be what the team requires in their battle against the drop.

Leeds United's Future:

In the event of relegation, Leeds United could face a significant exodus from their squad as players contemplate moves away from Elland Road. However, with several underperforming players struggling to meet the Premier League's demands, finding new clubs in the top flight might prove challenging. The team faces critical fixtures against West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, providing an opportunity for those who have struggled this season to step up and prove their worth in the fight to avoid relegation.

Controversial Goal in Leicester vs Liverpool Match Explained by VAR Chief

In the recent Leicester vs Liverpool match, Liverpool scored a controversial goal that initially appeared to be offside but was ultimately allowed by VAR. The presence of Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer of PGMOL, who explained VAR decisions using in-game audio, added a fascinating element to the fixture. This match carried significant importance for both teams, with Leicester aiming to climb out of the relegation zone and Liverpool seeking to narrow the gap in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

The First Goal:

Liverpool's Curtis Jones scored two goals in quick succession, with both goals subjected to VAR checks for offside. The first goal underwent scrutiny to determine if Luis Diaz was offside from a long ball before Mohamed Salah's cross, leading to Jones' finish at the back post.

The Second Goal Controversy:

The second goal, however, caused confusion among Liverpool fans. Replays indicated that Jones was seemingly offside from Salah's pass. However, it was later revealed that VAR Chris Kavanagh initially drew the offside lines at the wrong moment. The lines were drawn when Cody Gakpo found Salah with a pass. Only when play continued did Kavanagh realize the lines should be redrawn from Salah's pass, not Gakpo's. In that split-second, Jonny Evans had slightly retreated, inadvertently playing Jones onside.

Clarification from VAR Expert:

Dale Johnson, a VAR expert, explained the sequence of events, highlighting that the initial images appeared to show Jones offside due to the incorrect moment the play was paused. When the play was stopped in the correct position, it became evident that Evans had played Jones onside by a narrow margin. This clarification from Johnson shed light on the controversy and provided a clear explanation for why the goal was not disallowed.

Implications for Liverpool:

Curtis Jones' brace propelled Liverpool to a crucial victory, further extending their winning streak to seven consecutive league matches. However, their chances of securing a top-four finish still rely on Newcastle and Manchester United failing to win two of their final three games. While the odds may be against them, Liverpool's strong performances have put them in a position where achieving their desired outcome remains a possibility.

Conclusion:

The controversy surrounding Curtis Jones' goal in the Leicester vs Liverpool match has been explained by the VAR chief, Howard Webb. The initial confusion stemmed from VAR drawing the offside lines at the wrong moment, making it appear that Jones was offside. However, upon closer examination, it was revealed that Jonny Evans' slight retreat had played Jones onside. Liverpool's victory keeps their hopes of a top-four finish alive, although they still rely on other teams' results.