The loaned-out Leeds United defender remains as volatile as ever.
Any Leeds United fans who witnessed Giuseppe Bellusci at close quarters during the Italian’s distinctly erratic two year spell at Elland Road will not be surprised to learn that discipline has not been his strong point on loan at Empoli this season.
Occasionally capable of moments of uncharacteristic brilliance, Bellusci’s defensive style was more closely related to a headless, flightless chicken than legendary compatriots Paolo Maldini and Allesandro Nesta.
The fact that he has started 24 Serie A games in 2016/17 perhaps explains why his current club find themselves just one place above the bottom three.
And, a week after failing to make a single tackle or interception against the mighty Juventus, Bellusci at least made his presence felt in Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Genoa. Picking up yet another booking, his fourth in six games, the 27-year-old has now received more yellow cards (12) than any other player in Serie A this season.
To put it in perspective, Bellusci has more yellows to his name than Marek Hamsik or Federico Bernardeschi have goals. Meanwhile, back at Elland Road, Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley continue to perform with commitment and composure at the heart of arguably the league’s toughest backline.
“The will is definitely the one to stay in Serie A,” Bellusci’s agent told Calciomercato recently.
Just as well. Few at Elland Road will have been counting down the days until his loan spell comes to an end.
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