Leeds United should let centre-back Gaetano Berardi leave the club on a free this summer according to LeedsLive correspondent Beren Cross, and it would certainly be a bold call to make.
What’s he said?
The 31-year-old’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season with lots of talk over whether he should be offered an extension.
Plenty of supporters have made their feelings clear in recent weeks, claiming that he needs to retire at Elland Road as well as being a “talisman” and a “chief” for the club while ex-Whites midfielder Andy Couzens among others are of the same belief, too.
But Cross isn’t that way inclined, claiming the centre-back isn’t good enough to compete in the Premier League, especially as he’s prone to being rash and racks up too many errors.
Speaking in his recent column, he said…
“Release.
“Take the emotion out of it. Commanding at his best under Bielsa, especially in the early months of last season, but gets too few minutes to generate any consistency.
“He is prone to rash tackles and errors at this level, which would only be further exposed in the top flight.
“An easy keep as a back-up option if he were under contract, but with his deal expiring, is this a natural time to end the love affair? Turns 32 in August too.”
Beren Cross, LeedsLive.
Tough call
This decision is probably one of the biggest facing Marcelo Bielsa this summer.
He’s set to lose Brighton loan star Ben White and getting rid of another central defender could be risky business as it leaves the injury-prone Liam Cooper as the only senior option alongside a few members of the U23 squad.
Berardi’s also become a bit of a fan-favourite, as seen by the reaction above, having previously been blasted by some for being a liability.
Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Leeds discussion going on in the Vital Leeds Forum! Click here to get involved!
The Swiss ace has featured in just 17 league matches this term but has managed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of them, meaning he’s proven to be a very worthwhile and resolute option for Bielsa to consider.
Although, the Premier League is a different ball game – can he replicate these exploits against the likes of Sergio Aguero, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane?
Given his previous reputation, you’d have to side with no.
What could’ve been… Can you name the clubs these football legends almost joined?
AND in other news, Leeds fans rave over Jack Harrison footage…
