Gaetano Berardi is technically without a club at the moment.
The 32-year-old’s deal with Leeds United expired at the end of the season, and he’s currently recovering from a cruciate injury. Having surgery at the end of July, Berardi has been recovering in Switzerland, so hasn’t yet returned to Elland Road.
Despite that, and despite his contract situation, there’s confidence the defender will be able to fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
He’s been speaking to the Swiss media about his recovery, and RSI quote him as saying: “I go walking a lot but it’s going well, even if it will be a long recovery. At the end of September I should go back to England to define everything and still stay at Leeds.
Berardi certainly deserves the chance to appear in the top flight for Leeds United. He joined the club in 2014 from Sampdoria, and has been through all the up and downs which have been experienced since.
There’s no clarity on what kind of deal the player may sign, but given his age and injury situation, Leeds will may be hesitant to offer anything other than a short-term deal, despite the good feeling towards Berardi at Elland Road.
