Leeds fan favourite makes shocking confession after patchy form
Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi has shockingly claimed that his side needs a better player than him at left-back, but added he will continue to do his best for the team in the position.
The 29-year-old is naturally a right-back, but has been used on the left side of the Whites defence this season by head coach Thomas Christiansen.
The Switzerland international played at left-back during the second half of last season, after Charlie Taylor suffered an Achilles injury.
Taylor’s summer transfer to Burnley has created a problem in the team that Christiansen has struggled to solve so far.
Berardi has admitted that left-back is not his strongest position, but has vowed to do his best for the team for as long as he is used in the role.
“It’s not my normal position but like every year I try to do my best – every week and every session,” Berardi told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I know probably this team needs a better player than me but I just want to play and do my best every Saturday.”
Berardi is a fan’s favourite, despite his confession and patchy form this season, and they love him for his full-blooded commitment to the cause even if it sometimes backfires.
Berardi got a red card for an alleged headbutt in October and missed two games from suspension.
Vurnon Anita, another right-footed player, started the season as the club’s first-choice left-back before he was replaced by Berardi in late September.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is the only out-and-out left-back in the Leeds squad, but has failed to make an impact since his loan move from Manchester United.
Christiansen may try to sign a new left-back when the January transfer window opens in two weeks time, but until then, he must focus on his current group of players.
Leeds have moved to within one point of the Championship play-off places, with four wins from their last six league matches. The Whites face Hull City in their next game at Elland Road, knowing a win would see them climb into the top-six.
COMMENT
An honest statement from Berardi, but a shocking one nonetheless. It’s rare that a footballer admits that he’s not good enough in public, even if he’s playing out of position. He should be careful as well. The last leeds player to go public with an admission of poor form was Pontus Jansson, and he was dropped by Thomas Christiansen straight after. With the January window coming up, Berardi might have just sealed his own fate.
In other Leeds United news, Kalvin Phillips has revealed the advice he gave to this teammate, after his difficult start to the season.
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