A lot of Leeds fans are happy to hear that Gaetano Berardi will be leaving the club in the summer.
A report from Football Insider claims that the 31-year-old will not be offered a new contract and will be leaving Elland Road at the end of the season.
Would you be disappointed to see Berardi go?
Yes
No
This news has gone down rather well with a few Leeds fans – who feel Berardi is not good enough.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club have no plans to offer Berardi a new deal to replace his current agreement, which expires next June
— White Knight LUFC (@WhiteKnightLUFC) December 2, 2019
With greatest respect to him this is right decision from club if we was to go up no way should he be anywhere near a Premier league squad
— Damian Staniforth (@Damo_1983) December 2, 2019
A good stop gap player, wears his heart on his sleeve but that’s about it tbh
— Dave (@daveytom66) December 2, 2019
Red ber cardi!
— Dave Halls (@Basher2010) December 2, 2019
Good because he has done nothing to earn it imo. Red card beradi
— Mip (@mipsical) December 2, 2019
One fan even stated that Berardi could sign for former Leeds owner Massimo Cellino who currently owns Italian side Brescia. Interestingly, Cellino was reportedly interested in signing the Leeds man last season, so perhaps he will finally get his man if he ends up leaving on a free at the end of the season.
I bet he signs for cellino club
— Robert Docherty (@doclufc1984) December 2, 2019
Versatile player, but we need better.
— White Knight LUFC (@WhiteKnightLUFC) December 2, 2019
What do we think?
Berardi, who is valued at £450k by Transfermarkt, has made 143 appearances for Leeds and has shown a strong commitment to the club with a lot of hard-working and passionate displays, but he does have a problem with discipline – as 18 yellow cards and a staggering eight red cards show.
This has cost the Whites in big games before none more so than last season against Derby County in the play-off semi-final – where a reckless challenge saw him dismissed with the tie level.
The 31-year-old is versatile, but if Leeds were to be promoted to the Premier League, they would need an upgrade on Berardi, and it seems like the board, and Marcelo Bielsa have recognised this.