OPINION
Leeds incredible 2018/19 injury list welcomed another name after the loss against Sheffield United on Saturday. Pontus Jansson became the latest walking wounded, perhaps exacerbating his injury as he had to play hobble through the latter stages of the game after manager Marcelo Bielsa had already made all three substitutions.
Leeds confirmed that he would be out for three weeks, meaning that he’ll miss the Millwall game at the minimum – and there’s one player that Leeds fans want to replace him, Gaetano Berardi.
The Leeds fan favourite has suffered with his own injury problems this season. After starting the first six games of the season, Berardi has only started one game since August after going down with first a knee and then a hamstring injury.
He hasn’t been able to get into the team since returning from injury but Jansson’s injury could be his big chance.
Some fans want towering Aapo Halme to come in, but the big majority are imploring Bielsa to put the battling Berardi in. And we think he has to get the nod from Marcelo Bielsa.
After slipping out of the automatic promotion spots, Leeds need to find a new grit on the pitch and they’ll get it from Berardi. A tough, no-nonsense tackler, you know exactly what you’re going to get from Berardi.
The only issue is one over discipline – Leeds can’t afford to lose any more players between now and the end of the season, and Berardi can be a card magnet. He picked up three yellow cards in the first eight games he played this season and was sent off three times last season.
However, we’re with the bulk of the fans – with Jansson out Berardi is the player Leeds need.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
Pontus will be a loss, but we’ve got Berardi, Halme, Diaz and Struijk. We’ll be fine. #lufc
— Deluded Fool (@DarranPaul) March 18, 2019
As much of a loss Jansson will be Berardi was immense at the start of the season and the passing out quickly from the defence created so many attacks so I think it won’t be as big as a loss than everyone thinks #LUFC
— Harry Holt (@HarryHolt000) March 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/passittopablo/status/1107683883653480448
Jansson out for three weeks = Berardi getting right into Milwall! ??#lufc
— Ryan Wilson (@RYAN_PIGEONS) March 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Jonnyboylufc/status/1107633604119670784
Not ideal but it could’ve been a lot worse. Put Berardi in at CB for the games he’ll miss #lufc https://t.co/SaOkkhNCDr
— California Dreamin ?? (@MultiJono88) March 18, 2019
Pontus injured. Thats not great, but we got mentalist Berardi aching to go. Not all bad. #lufc
— TrondheimLeeds (@palejens) March 18, 2019
Berardi v Millwall ???? #lufc https://t.co/6Tc4NkKDoO
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) March 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/ceriparker/status/1107563404481441793
Next man up if Jansson’s injury is serious, Berardi you’re up ? #lufc
— Bradley Mills (@B_JMills) March 16, 2019
Cometh the hour, cometh Berardi……….. #lufc
— Prokyp (@Prokyp) March 16, 2019