Marcelo Bielsa lauds Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi amid uncertainty

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Marcelo Bielsa has labelled Gaetano Berardi an example, in comments reported by Leeds Live, and admitted that he has often considered asking for the Leeds United defender’s advice during his tenure.

Berardi’s future is looking extremely uncertain. The club confirmed shortly after the season’s resumption that he was one of the players to extend his contract to see out the campaign.

And while the ultimate goal of promotion was secured, Berardi was dealt an extremely cruel blow during the Whites’ 3-1 win over Derby County on Sunday.

He was stretchered off during the first-half. And Leeds have since announced on their official website that the defender now faces up to nine months out.

Bielsa was asked ahead of Wednesday’s final game about whether he wants Berardi to sign a new contract and stay. And while he did not directly answer the question, he did highlight just how much he and the squad value Berardi.

“Berardi, for all of us, he’s an example,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live. “Don’t think the fact I say he is an example, I don’t value his football ability. The 30 minutes he played in the last match was one for the best displays he had in two years.

“In the social life of the team, he is very important and I imagine Berardi is the person you ask what we should do. Sometimes I considered asking him, when I had doubts. Of course my job is make decisions and I had more doubt than certainty. More than once I had this feeling to take advice from him.”

TBR View: Berardi deserves new contract

It would be a huge shame if Sunday’s win proved to be Berardi’s final game for the club. Despite the criticism he has faced at times, he has ultimately been an outstanding servant for the club.

And it is because of his loyalty to the Whites that he was playing against the Rams after penning a short-term extension to his contract.

He may not have been set to be a key man in the Premier League. But his performances when he has come in show that he could have certainly had a role to play next season.

And following Bielsa’s comments, it looks fair to say that Leeds will gain a lot more from keeping Berardi at the club for another year than they will by letting him go this summer.