Gaetano Berardi will have to come in defence this weekend as Ben White is expected to step up in midfield to play in place of Kalvin Phillips who has been handed a one-game ban for accumulating five yellow cards. Berardi often has had to play bits and pieces role so far this season with Liam Cooper and Ben White being the first-choice centre-halves.
Phil Hay provides an update on Berardi’s future
The Swiss defender is also in the final year of his contract at the club. Phil Hay in a Q and A session with the Atheltic (subscription needed) revealed that there’s a good possibility that the defender will move away from the club in the summer. He wrote, ”There have been no talks (regarding new contract), and Leeds aren’t rushing to instigate any. There’s a fair chance that he’ll go at the end of the season.”
”His longer-term future is very much in doubt. It was suggested to me a while back that he might actually favour a return to Italy in the summer, where his family were based for years, and it won’t be a surprise if there’s a parting of ways. Bielsa does like him, though, and always has.”
Not too long ago, the Whites handed Pablo Hernandez a new deal even though he is already 34-year-old. Hence it was clear that if a player is going to be a crucial element, then he would be handed a new deal. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case with Berardi at the moment as there seem to be no contract talks yet.
Is Berardi worthy of a new deal?
The Swiss defender has been at Elland Road for over six years now, and he is down the pecking order at the moment. The 31-year-old was seen more of a right-back, but Bielsa has utilised him in the centre back role. Berardi has a moment of rashness in him and sometimes sells himself short in one on one duels by committing early.
Hence, we think that the Swiss player has run his course with the Yorkshire outfit and it is probably the right call by the Whites to let him go.
What should Bielsa do?
However, things could quickly change if Leeds United miss out on promotion. Then they might want to keep hold of the defender who has plenty of Championship experience. Ben White would also depart from the club next season so Berardi could once again become a valuable player. Therefore we would want the club to wait and see where they are by next season, and then they can decide on the future of the defender.
