The former Leeds United boss feels the Swiss star should get a chance in the starting XI after injury recovery.
Jeremy Helan of Sheffield Wednesday in action with Gaetano Berardi of Leeds United
Leeds United’s former manager and youth-team boss Neil Redfearn has told TV Yorkshire this week how he believes returning full-back Gaetano Berardi has a strong chance of coming back into the starting XI at Elland Road.
The Swiss defender suffered an injury on the opening game of the Championship season against QPR and has not played since. He has been playing for the under-23s recently and it appears he is shortly set to be back in contention for Leeds head coach Garry Monk.
Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn
However, he will have a fight on his hands. Since picking up the injury Leeds have brought in a new right-back – with Luke Ayling arriving from Bristol City.
He has been in good form for Leeds but Redfearn told TV Yorkshire that with the current formation Berardi might be the better option for Monk:
“I think, having gone into a 4-2-3-1 system, I think it would probably suit Berardi more than Ayling.
Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn
“You’ve got a license then to get your full-backs forward. You’ve got two midfield players that sit, whether it’s (Kalvin) Phillips, or Eunan O’Kane, (Liam) Bridcutt or whoever sits in there. The two centre-halves look like they’re pretty sorted now with Rob Green behind them.
“It’ll be interesting to see Gaetano Berardi come back in because he does like to get forward, he has got that attacking momentum. With Taylor on the other side it might give Leeds another dimension.”
Luke Ayling of Leeds United looks dejected at the end of the game
Of course Redfearn will know Berardi well, having worked with him during his time as Leeds United manager.
His return from injury certainly gives Monk some decisions to make but it also gives him plenty of options, considering he can play on either side of defence.
A good headache for the Leeds coach to have in the busy Championship schedule.
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