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Phil Hay pours cold water on Leeds United striking shock player agreement

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Leeds United are currently in the midst of a huge defensive crisis, and some suggestions have emerged that Gaetano Berardi could have been the player to help cover.

Marcelo Bielsa is definitely used to suffering from major setbacks in this Leeds United lineup since he took over in 2018.

The start to this Premier League season has been no different for him, and with the winless run extended to five games at the weekend, there’s pressure mounting to get over this slump.

After the Liverpool defeat, Leeds’ defensive issues were kicked up a gear after Pascal Struijk was sent off following the injury to Harvey Elliott.

Struijk only came onto the pitch as a result of the injury sustained to Diego Llorente, while Germany international Robin Koch is also nursing an injury.

It left the Whites with a partnership of Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling for the trip to Tyneside on Friday, and the latter was also forced off late on as he picked up a knee injury.

Suggestions have been floated around amongst fans about the availability of Gaetano Berardi as he continues to be without a club after bidding his farewell from Elland Road in the summer.

However, Phil Hay has moved quickly to deny that there is the possibility of this happening.

Commenting in The Athletic’s pre-Fulham Q&A, he wrote:

No he hasn’t (found a club), or he hadn’t last time I checked. Which seems odd because he seemed like he’d be a very good signing for someone. I don’t see him coming back here because he and his family were keen to return to the continent.

I don’t think it is something that club will ever have considered and we definitely shouldn’t.

Berardi was an outstanding servant to the club in the past seven years and that won’t ever be forgotten, but his departure was for the best for him and his family.

For us to be without three of our senior centre-back options and the right-back that covers is extremely unfortunate timing.

It’s unlucky for us to be in this position but short-term fixes like Berardi coming back make little sense to us.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.