LUTV pundit expects ‘absolutely superb’ Leeds ace to be dropped for Hull clash
LUTV pundit Ben Parker has admitted that he expects Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi to be dropped against Hull City should Kalvin Phillips return to fitness.
Parker believes that it would be business as usual, with Ben White dropping back into defence despite the Swiss enforcer filling in superbly in the 1-0 win against Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
Berardi has the best points per game ratio of any Whites player to play more than five games this season in the Championship – only losing once.
Parker doesn’t expect that to make a difference though and claims that Phillips would be straight into the action at the KCOM Stadium if he recovers.
“I think Berardi, every time he’s played for us this season has been absolutely superb,” he said on LUTV’s Scouting Report.
“I think points per game over five games played for a player this season, he’s got the biggest points per game kind of ratio. It just shows his value to the squad when he comes in, never lets anyone down.
“But, I do expect if Kalvin (Phillips) is fit to go back into the ‘Kalvin Phillips’ role, Ben White to drop into centre half, and it’s probably as you were.
It would definitely be harsh on Berardi, but everyone would understand should Phillips come back into the side on Saturday.
The 31-year-old filled in perfectly against Boro helping keep another clean sheet. He completed a couple of tackles but more impressively FIVE interceptions as the home side struggled to get in behind [WhoScored].
With Berardi on the pitch, Leeds only concede a goal every 174 minutes, a seriously impressive record but something that won’t be expected to get any better should Phillips return to fitness [LUFC DATA].
In other Leeds United news, this BBC journalist has highlighted another blow for this Whites ace after Friday update