Leeds United are short of options at centre-back, but that may be because Marcelo Bielsa is planning to use Gaetano Berardi there.
Marcelo Bielsa may have to consider using Gaetano Berardi at centre-back, given Leeds United’s lack of options there currently.
Leeds look set to miss out on Kyle Bartley this summer, with the defender on the way to West Bromwich Albion, and they seem to have a dearth of quality options in their current squad.
Leeds have made just one addition this summer, with attacking midfielder Lewis Baker arriving on loan.
It leaves their defence looking short of players, and centre-back could be a particularly troublesome position for Bielsa.
While Pontus Jansson looks set to feature prominently, after returning from the World Cup, Leeds’ other options all have questions marks over them.
Liam Cooper has his critics at Elland Road and Paudie O’Connor has been allowed to leave on loan, which leaves a huge hole in their squad.
The Argentine boss has tended to use full-backs in central defence at his past clubs, and he may be required to do so again at Leeds now.
If Leeds are to turn to full-backs, Berardi looks the most obvious choice to put at centre-back.
The Swiss defender’s natural aggression makes him capable of winning physical battles against strikers, and although he doesn’t possess the same height as most centre-backs in the Championship, he is certainly not one to shirk a battle.
Indeed, Bielsa’s suggestion at his first press conference that he has spotted Berardi’s ability to play at centre-back should be noted.
“Berardi has played on either side of defence and has filled in at centre-half as well,” Bielsa told the YEP.
It may just give a hint that Bielsa is planning to utilise Berardi in the heart of Leeds’ defence next season, and if he is then the decision to loan out O’Connor would start to make more sense.
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