Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa speaks highly of Gaetano Berardi and Samuel Saiz.
Berardi is a full-back by trade and can operate as a right-back or as a left-back, but the 29-year-old has been deployed as a central defender under head coach Bielsa this season.
The former Brescia defender, who has earned one international cap for Switzerland, has played well as a centre-back, as Leeds have won all of their four competitive matches so far this campaign.
Leeds head coach Bielsa has praised the performances of Berardi at centre-back, and he has also hailed the professionalism of Samuel Saiz.
The 27-year-old – who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a forward and joined Leeds from Huesca in the summer of 2017 for a transfer fee reported by The Yorkshire Evening Post to be worth £3 million – has not reacted badly to being fouled by defenders this season.
Bielsa told Leeds Live regarding Berardi playing at centre-back: “The games I watched, he played more as a full-back than centre-back.
“Obviously he can play on both sides as a full-back, and as a centre-back I’m satisfied with his performance.”
The Argentine boss said about Saiz when asked if he has worked on his mentality: “Honestly no. But his professionalism allows him to resolve these kinds of situations.”
Tough test
Leeds have won all of their four competitive matches so far this season, but the Whites will face a tough test on Tuesday.
The West Yorkshire outfit will take on Swansea City away from home at the Liberty Stadium in the Championship.
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