Graham Smyth has tipped Leeds United forward Georginio Rutter to break the Championship record for big chances created this season.
The highest number of big-chances created since the stat was first recorded in 2016-17 is 23 by Ryan Giles for Middlesbrough last season, with the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist claiming that tally is well within the 21-year-old’s reach after he has 10 to his name in the opening 11 games.
He added that it’s “unusual” for a creative player to be leading the line like the Frenchman has been, while out-and-out goalscorer Joel Piroe has been playing in the number 10 role.
It just seems to me like he (Rutter) is popping up all over the place and threatening to rip defences apart with either passing or dribbling and his team are profiting in a major way,” said Smyth on the Inside Elland Road podcast on Wednesday (11 October).
“23 is the most big-chances created in the Championship by an individual since 2016/17 when they started collating that particular stat. I don’t think 23 is outside of his reach at all, I think it’s well within his reach.
“Somebody suggested to me this week that it’s broken some people’s minds that Leeds United’s biggest creator plays at nine and their biggest goal threat plays at 10.
Given Ndidi’s importance to the team, it would be no surprise to see the Foxes attempt to tie him down to a new contract over the coming months, and with the club looking on course for an immediate Premier League return, they could have a chance of retaining him beyond the summer.
What are the latest transfer rumours involving Wilfred Ndidi?
Ndidi was linked with Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich this summer, but a move away from the King Power Stadium did not materialise.
It seems unlikely that Forest will reignite their interest in January after bringing in two midfielders, Nicolas Dominguez and Ibrahim Sangare, on deadline day, but Bayern could come back in for Ndidi after their move to sign Fulham’s Joao Palhinha collapsed.
Celtic were also said to have been interested in Ndidi in a move which would have seen him reunite with former Leicester manager Rodgers, but the Scottish giants are unlikely to be able to meet the Foxes’ valuation.
After Ndidi’s outstanding performances so far this season, more clubs could join the race for his signature in January.
