En liten reminder om karrieren til Berardi for Leeds.
The transformer – Leeds United favourite playing Bielsaball from the backBy Charlie Sopp on Aug 19, 2018
Gaetano Berardi has had quite a bizarre career wince he arrived as one of Massimo Cellino’s first signings. The right-back arrived for around £250k from Italy and was told if he proved himself Cellino would extend his deal beyond the two years signed, he’s now just started his fifth season at the club.
During his time Gaetano Berardi has been red carded a variety of time, had his head split open about the same amount, scored one goal and captained the side. What has happened, something that doesn’t always happen with players at Leeds is that he’s a favourite with the fans, they love him and how could you not? It wasn’t always this way though, you could have been forgiven for thinking he was going to be one of Cellino’s first flops.
Marcelo Bielsa has transformed Berardi into a ball=playing centre-back
A karate kick to see red before a second red not long after had Leeds fans labelling him a liability and at the time that wasn’t far from the truth. Every game he played he seemed to be on the brink of losing control, but this would tone down as the season went on, Neil Redfearn decided he would play at left-back for a spell in the new year and since that moment he’s barely been out of the team.
A full season at left-back as well as a couple at right-back players such as Sam Byram, Charlie Taylor and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson have all sat and watched Berardi keep them out of the side. His passion for Leeds United is second to none, he loves pulling the shirt on and the Leeds fans have grown to see him as a player who represents the values of the club. Every game, no matter where or when he gives his all, but this season he’s added a new dimension under Marcelo Bielsa.
Berardi is one of Leeds’ longest serving players
Berardi has slipped in at centre-back under Bielsa and he’s gone under the radar as other such as Kemar Roofe and Samu Saiz get the headlines. There was a myth that Berardi was really a footballing defender and when he played at full-back he often went safety first, but he’s proving that this myth is exactly that, his ability on the ball has been shown this season, when he’s given instructions he carries them out.
His performance yesterday, up against a giant in Smith for Rotherham sums him up. He won his battles and also made his passes. Where in the past he may have sent a few into the stands he was composed, took the ball down and found his angles. Gaetano Berardi will be remembered at Leeds United long after he leaves this club, but it seems like he may be a player who hangs around for many more years to come. Berardi playing Bielsaball like he’s done it his whole career.
http://the72.co.uk/114358/transformer-leeds-united-favourite-playing-bielsaball-back/