Leeds United defender Charlie Taylor has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi’s form over recent weeks has proven that Charlie Taylor may not be as big a loss to the Elland Road club as first feared.
Berardi has come into Leeds’ starting line-up at left-back, after Taylor picked up an injury in December.
Taylor damaged his Achilles and has missed over three months’ worth of action, but he is edging closer to a comeback now.
The 23-year-old is back in training, and could come back into Garry Monk’s thinking in the near future.
However, Taylor’s time on the sidelines has put his place in Leeds’ team in doubt.
Berardi has been in absolutely magnificent form with Taylor sidelined, with his passionate performances earning a lot of praise.
| Tackles won per game | Crosses blocked per game | Clearances per game | Duels won per game | Interceptions per game | Appearances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaetano Berardi | 1.53 | 0.87 | 3.53 | 4.4 | 1.33 | 15 |
| Charlie Taylor | 1.14 | 1.14 | 2.32 | 5.23 | 1.45 | 22 |
The Swiss international not only may have taken Taylor’s place this season, but he may also have proven that Leeds do not need to fear losing one of their prized prospects.
At the start of the season, Monk made it clear that he thought it was imperative that Leeds kept hold of Taylor if they were to make the Premier League.
He said: “We are trying to have a successful season and we have the ambition of reaching the Premier League as a group so we have to keep our best players – I think that’s very clear and I think Charlie is one of them.”
However, Taylor has still not signed a new deal at Elland Road, and he looks likely to move on in the summer.
The Yorkshire Evening Post suggests that Taylor has his eyes on a switch to Liverpool.
And while it would unquestionably be a blow for the Whites to lose such a talent, especially on a free transfer, Berardi’s recent performances should have proven to Monk that Taylor is far from irreplaceable.
Indeed, Leeds fans are now calling for Taylor to be left on the substitutes’ bench, as Berardi’s form has been so impressive.
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