Giuseppe Bellusci had featured in Leeds United’s first two pre-season friendlies, but still looks to be on his way out.
Thomas Christiansen has confirmed that Giuseppe Bellusci will be leaving Leeds during this transfer window despite the centre-back featuring in the Whites’ first two pre-season friendlies, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.
Under Garry Monk, Bellusci’s days at Leeds appeared to be numbered with the defender spending last season on loan in Italy. However, Monk’s departure seemed to leave a question mark hanging over the 27-year-old’s future, especially when new boss Thomas Christiansen included him in the squad for the games with Harrogate and Guiseley.
Leeds United’s Giuseppe Bellusci
The latter game was overshadowed by Bellusci’s interaction with a section of the supporters who were clearly keen to not see the Italian involved.
But after the defender was missing from the squad that took on North Ferriby on Wednesday, Christiansen has confirmed that he does not feature in his plans.
“Bellusci is already out,” he said, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“Everyone took this decision. It was clear.
“The situation was not easy but we understood that this is best for the team and the club. We have to handle it as well as possible.”
The news is likely to receive a largely positive response from the Elland Road faithful, as while a minority were open to seeing Bellusci given another chance, it seemed the overwhelming majority wanted the centre-back to be moved on during this window.
And while the lack of centre-back options within the squad may make letting Bellusci go seem to be a gamble, his previous spell in the first-team suggests that it is probably a greater gamble to rely on him during the upcoming Championship campaign.
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