Gaetano Berardi is back and is in the thick of it as we expect. He attended the presser today with a shiner of a black eye after the League Cup win over Burnley at Turfmoor on Tuesday night. He had to leave the pitch with blood running down his face and he doesn’t seem bothered if it happens again tomorrow.
In terms of players committed to the cause Gaetano Berardi is at the very top of the list. His pride, passion and commitment is wonderful and has helped the players and fans stay connected in recent years when things haven’t been going so well. His long list of cuts, scrapes and bruises are due to him holding back…never. He flies into tackles as Charlie Taylor found out on Tuesday night, goes hell for leather when he commits to headed duals and when he decides he’s making a block the body is well and truly on the line. He is now fully fit and could well replace Vurnon Anita with the Dutch full-back not in the greatest of form.
Berardi earned a new deal at the start of the summer and that was music to the ears of the fans and probably the club in all honesty. Players who are so committed and have such a bond with the fans are crucial to any football club and Berardi is now one of the longest-serving players currently with us. He has often picked up injuries that look like they will rule him out for some time and getting back his place will be extremely difficult but he manages to get back into the side time and time again and that is testament to his character and resilience that is in his game. Welcome back, Gaetano Berardi.
