Christiansen praises Leeds ‘warrior’ who doubts himself as Jan transfer plans outlined
Thomas Christiansen has heaped praise on makeshift left-back Gaetano Berardi, but did not rule out a move for a specialist in the January transfer window.
The one-time Swiss international Berardi, who naturally plays on the right, has recently claimed that the Whites need a better player than him at left-back.
Berardi, 29, has filled in admirably on the left this season, turning out there for the majority of their Championship matches so far.
Now, boss Christiansen has lended his backing to the fan favourite ahead of their Yorkshire derby with Hull on Saturday, but failed to completely rule out a move for a natural left-sided player in January.
As quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Christiansen said: “I will not say that we’re going to sign a left-back. We are working on different situations for this transfer period. It’s a difficult moment in the winter period to sign somebody. It can be difficult. I’m happy with Berra and the other players.
“What I want is to make the best team I can but if you’ve seen all the games he’s played in, he’s done very well. For me it’s already a guarantee I have there. Everyone uses the word ‘warrior’ when they speak about him but he’s a team player who fights for the team and in good moments and bad moments is very positive.”
Berardi has been at Leeds since 2014, arriving as a £90,000 signing from Italian outfit Sampdoria.
The Swiss defender has slowly become a fan favourite at Elland Road with his commitment and solid play at the back.
Leeds have a specialist left-back in the squad, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who is a loanee from Manchester United, but the 20-year-old has struggled with injury so far this year, thrusting Berardi into the makeshift role.
In other Leeds United news, Christiansen has spoken out about the club’s attempts to sign this 23-year-old on a permanent deal.
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