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Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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Leeds fans want defender signed amid injury crisis

Jordan Harris
Jordan Harris

A number of Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to suggest that they would love to see the club re-sign Gaetano Berardi as Marcelo Bielsa continues to contend with problems at centre-back.

Luke Ayling has become the latest to move onto the sidelines. The 30-year-old was taken off during the draw with Newcastle on Friday.

He sits alongside Diego Llorente and Robin Koch. Meanwhile, Pascal Struijk is still suspended for one more game after being red-carded against Liverpool.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Liam Cooper therefore, is Leeds’ one senior option remaining.

Of course, Bielsa will have other options up his sleeve. Kalvin Phillips played there on Tuesday against Fulham.

And in truth, it would come as no surprise if Bielsa felt someone like Stuart Dallas had the capabilities to fill in there.

It also must be noted that Charlie Cresswell was outstanding in the Carabao Cup win.

But perhaps there is also another potential solution that Leeds could consider.

Could Bielsa really re-sign familiar face?

As things stand, the only players clubs can currently sign are those who are free agents, and have been so since before the closure of the transfer window.

One player who falls into that category is Gaetano Berardi. The 33-year-old left the Whites when his contract expired in the summer.

Photo by LYNNE CAMERON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by LYNNE CAMERON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Right off the bat, it must be said that plenty of fans are not in favour of the club bringing Berardi back.

He is a club legend. But some feel that the time has come to move on, particularly with the way that he left on a high last season.

For others however, they cannot see the harm in bringing him back for one more season.

It would give Leeds further cover at centre-back. And Berardi is not a player who would time to adapt to the system.

He would obviously need a spell to get up to speed. But he proved against Southampton and West Brom last term that he would not be out of his depth.

Berardi was one of the players who stepped up beyond all belief following Bielsa’s arrival at Elland Road. He was outstanding at times in the Championship.

And obviously, it goes without saying that Berardi set a superb example. He won a lot of plaudits for extending his contract to help ensure that Leeds got promoted in 2020.

It came at a cost for Berardi who lost more than a year of his career after suffering a serious injury once promotion was secured. But he fought his way back.

‘Bring him back’: Leeds fans suggest move for Berardi

It would obviously be an emotional move. And you can understand why some may be against such a deal.

But with Leeds struggling with so many injuries, you can clearly see why some fans are choosing to think with their hearts on this occasion.

With that in mind, here is what some of the Leeds fans were saying about potentially signing Berardi on social media…