Former Leeds United player Noel Whelan believes that this will be Gaetano Berardi's last season at Elland Road.

Berardi to depart

One-time Switzerland international Berardi has been with Leeds since 2014, helping them return to the Premier League from League One.

However, speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has suggested that this will be his last term at the club as Marcelo Bielsa moves a number of players on this summer. He said:

 "No. Let’s be honest now, with the injury that he got, if he wasn’t injured he probably would have found another club and be playing week in, week out, because he can still play at Championship level or abroad.

"I think the club did the right thing, we stuck by him and he stayed, he’s got fit, he’s recovered and given the opportunity, he might have a little bit of game time this season.

"Once we’re safe, I can only see younger players getting a chance, your Berardis getting a chance and, the way things have gone this season with injuries and strains and people in and out the side, you need players now.

"We can’t afford to let anyone go and I’m sure he will be used at some point in the season but I do believe that this will be his last season at Leeds United and I do believe it’s going to be a lot of people’s last season at Leeds United."

Makes sense

While Berardi has been a loyal servant for Leeds over the past seven years, it looks clear he is no longer a part of Bielsa's plans. This campaign, he has not played a single minute in all competitions due to injury (Transfermarkt), but he's now back in training. However, given Leeds' recent success, it's hard to see a player who wasn't a regular in the Championship getting much game time in the Premier League.

With 32 points from 22 matches (Sky Sports), Leeds are safe in the Premier League. In the upcoming summer, therefore, they will be in a strong position to strengthen their squad across the board.

Players like Berardi will be moved on to free up not only space but also wages - Whelan could well be right.

In other news, this Leeds target has made a big call.