The Dutch attacker told BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope on September 19 that they discuss “a lot” about their games and that while he “wouldn’t say” he is “teaching” the young record signing, he has been able to offer the benefit of approximately 100 Championship games experience.
Rutter, 21, assisted Piroe, 24, for the first goal in last weekend’s 3-0 win against Millwall, as Daniel Farke has favoured the latter playing in the number 10 role behind the young Frenchman since his arrival from Swansea.
Piroe has three goals in three games for Leeds United, and despite a terrible performance against Sheffield Wednesday, his Whites career is off to a fantastic start.
Rutter has two goals and an assist in five Championship games this season despite suffering under several managers in the top level last season after joining from Hoffenheim for £35.5 million [Sky Sports, 15 January].
The big-money signing from the winter window had a tough start to his career at Elland Road, and found himself in the limelight for the wrong reasons on his road to relegation [Telegraph, 24 May], but he appears to be improving now.
Rutter appears to be at ease with the club since Farke’s arrival, and as his relationship with Piroe increases, this will undoubtedly improve.
If both can feed off one other this season, the Whites will have one of the most well-stocked offences in the division and a return on some major investment.
Based on the win at Millwall, the combination is already working well, and on current form, it is tough to envisage Patrick Bamford returning to the starting lineup when he is healthy again.
It’s probable that Rutter was put in an untenable scenario last season as a young attacker who needed to be brought along carefully, but instead arrived with pressure piled on him by the price tag and the club’s current circumstances.
However, based on Piroe’s evaluation, the youngster appears to have put his head down and worked hard to improve, while the newcomer and manager Farke deserve recognition as well.
It’s not exactly value for money for a £35.5m signing to be doing well in the second division, but he can’t complain about his pay, and the thought of him learning from Piroe – who has 44 Championship goals – puts the Whites in a very good position up front at least.
