Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi has revealed the moment that he started to question his future at the club.
Swiss defender Berardi will see his contract come to an end with Leeds this summer, concluding a six-year spell at Elland Road.
Featuring regularly during the first few seasons of his time with the Yorkshire club, the versatile defender has struggled for game-time this season, playing back-up to the likes of Ben White and Liam Cooper. Starting just 30% of the Whites’ Championship games, the 31-year-old will be looking for extra game time when the season returns on the weekend of June 20.
Looking ahead to the summer and his potential search for a new club, Berardi has now revealed that one moment from this season left him fearing for his future.
Leeds headed to London to take on Millwall in October and Marcelo Bielsa’s side were handed a tough task from the get-go, having Berardi sent off for a tackle on Tom Bradshaw in the penalty area. Jed Wallace converted the resulted penalty as Millwall went on to secure all three points in a 2-1 victory.
As quoted by the club’s official website, the 31-year-old said: “I couldn’t believe it.
“That day was not easy. My first reaction was in the changing room, I was alone and I was just thinking ‘If I have to accept this, maybe I need to go away and not come back’.
“After a few days, I started to realise that the club was working towards getting it rescinded and helping me, so when it was finally taken away I was happy about that.”
It is not like Bielsa to change his opinion a player just from a red card, so Berardi’s thoughts may not be entirely justified.
The defender has proven over the last few years that his efforts and commitment to the cause have been impressive and he should have done enough to convince Leeds to offer him an extension, even if only for a year.
Leeds fans, do you think Gaetano Berardi will leave the club this summer? Let us know in the comments section below…
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