Gaetano Berardi puts side before self on future and eyes overdue Leeds United 'present'

Berardi is into the final month of his Whites contract with the centre-back's deal up on June 30 and the Championship season not set to conclude until July 22 following the league's suspension amidst the country's battle with COVID-19.

But Berardi says his primary focus is on his club’s final nine games with the 31-year-old defender aware just what promotion would mean to Leeds United Football Club and the Whites' fans.

Former Swiss international defender Berardi is currently United’s longest serving player with Berardi having joined the club from Serie A side Sampdoria in July 2014.

Nearly six years later, Leeds are looking at their best chance yet of finally sealing a return to the Premier League with Marcelo Bielsa’s side top of the Championship and holding a seven-point cushion in the division’s automatic promotion spots with nine games left.

Leeds will finally return to action a week on Sunday with a 12 noon kick-off at Cardiff City.

Speaking as part of Leeds United’s latest ‘Ask’ series in association with Deliveroo, Berardi was asked what winning the league would mean and said: "It would be the best memory ever in my career.

"We've been fighting for this for many years, the six years I've been at Leeds, the fans for many more years, but also for my teammates who are fighting.

"It doesn't matter if it's been one, two or three years, we have to just focus on this one and it would be the best present for everyone."

Asked if he had given any thought to next season, Berardi said: "I don't know, I just want to finish the season as best we can. There are bigger things to do before I think about my future."

Berardi has featured 20 times for the Whites this season with the defender making 11 league starts including in United's most recent fixture at home to Huddersfield Town on March 7.

Kalvin Phillips was forced to miss the game with a knee injury meaning Berardi stepped into the United defence as Ben White moved up from centre-back into the holding midfield role.

Berardi will turn 32 in August but the defender feels that two of his best displays yet in a Whites shirt have arrived this season in December's 2-0 win at home to Hull City and February's 1-0 triumph at Middlesbrough.

Berardi again came in for Phillips in the triumph at the Riverside whilst skipper Liam Cooper was absent through injury for December's win against the Tigers.

"I don't really know when I play nice games," said Berardi.

"Sometimes we think we've played a good game, and then the next day you get killed in the video analysis.

"In my opinion, I don't remember previous years, but I think played well against Hull City at home, and Middlesbrough away this season."

Nearly six years after joining from Sampdoria, the defender has now made 150 appearances in a Whites shirt and Berardi's 100th appearance is one he will always remember.

Under former Whites head coach Thomas Christiansen, Berardi was made captain for the day in place of Liam Cooper as Berardi reached his Whites century in the 1-0 win at home to Birmingham City in December 2017.

"That day was actually Thomas' idea," said Berardi.

"He asked Liam if he was happy with it, because it was my 100th game, Liam said 'no problem' and that he was happy to do it for me.

"It was a nice feeling. It was a big responsibility, I had the chance to do it in other games, but even without the armband I feel the same.

"If I remember the day, I remember that it was a nice gesture from Thomas and Liam."

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