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da spicy bet： Leeds have won just three of their last nine games in all competitions, but the return of versatile defender Gaetano Berardi could solve several problems at once.
What’s the word?
The Whites had a terrific run through the difficult winter period, but have gone off the boil since Christmas, due mainly to injuries and suspensions.
Liam Cooper’s return coincided with Kalvin Phillips collecting a three-game ban, and Luke Ayling has been in really poor form since returning from his knee injury, as the club just cannot get its best players on the pitch and in form at the same time.
However, Marcelo Bielsa is set for a huge boost this week as Berardi returned to action on Monday, starting in the Under-23’s clash against Bolton.
If you told a Leeds fan last season that their promotion hopes would rest on the shoulders of Berardi they probably would have laughed you out of the room, but his presence in the first team will help Bielsa in more ways than one.
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On the chalkboard
When the 30 year-old does return, it could be very bad news for Ayling. Jansson and Cooper will presumably remain the first choice centre back pairing, and Berardi’s versatility means he can slot in on the right side.
Ayling has been looked a step off the pace since returning from injury himself, and some of his play with the ball at his feet has been truly shocking, while he also gave Swansea a pointless penalty last weekend.
While the tough-tackling Berardi’s return may be bad news for Ayling, it is most definitely good news for for players like Phillips and Jamie Shackleton, who can now focus entirely on doing their job in the midfield.
A chance to refresh the midfield
Phillips was forced to fill in at centre back over the winter, but having him back at full pelt in midfield makes all the difference, and with a solid back four behind him the youngster will only get even better.
Shackleton has also been asked to fill in at right-back at times this season, but will now be yet another option for Bielsa to rotate into the midfield if needs must, an area where depth is crucial in such a high-tempo system.
Berardi’s return gives Bielsa an extra option right across the defence, as well as a huge boost to the freshness and quality of a midfield that has run out of gas since the turn of the year.
The feisty 30 year-old is more important to the club now than he has ever been, and fans should be chomping at the bit to get him back in the side.