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LUTV pundit claims 'absolutely excellent' duo have helped cover key Leeds absence
LUTV pundit Ben Parker has admitted that Leeds United duo Gaetano Berardi and Ben White have helped cover the absence of Kalvin Phillips superbly.
Phillips picked up the knock in the 1-0 win against Reading and was brought back somewhat prematurely in the crushing victory at Hull.
He didn’t look at the peak of his powers at the KCOM Stadium and has missed games against Huddersfield and Middlesbrough in the past month.
That saw Berardi come into defence to push White into the ‘Phillips’ role, with Leeds still managing to pick up wins – Parker believes that is mainly down to his replacements.
“Obviously, depending what Kalvin’s like, whether or not he can just shake off that little knock he had,” he said on LUTV’s Scouting Report.
“But you have to say, Ben White going into that position, I thought second-half in particular against Huddersfield he was fantastic.
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“Berardi coming in, he’s done that superbly all season, he’s been absolutely excellent in that position for us.”
Everyone has sung the praises of White this season, but Berardi has certainly proved himself with a number of quality performances.
The 31-year-old made an impressive five interceptions against Boro and continued that form by making four clearances on Saturday [WhoScored].
Berardi has proved his worth at Elland Road this season, and Parker is certainly spot on to suggest that the Leeds duo have covered the key absence of Phillips in the past fortnight.
In other Leeds United news, Stuart Dallas responds when asked if the Whites are out for revenge v Cardiff