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Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has gone on record to say that Leeds United should be hesitant to use Gaetano Berardi again.

Berardi’s last appearance for the Whites was a shocker. The defender was sent off against Derby in the playoff semi-final second leg, and that game has seen the 30-year-old receive a lot of backlash.

The BBC Radio Leeds pundit doesn’t believe he should be given a second chance though, and he has urged his former club to rethink their stance on the Switzerland international.

What’s been said then?

Whelan didn’t hold back in his criticisms of the versatile defender.

“It was a stupid challenge from Berardi when he was on a yellow,” the ex-Leeds striker told Football Insider. “You can’t afford to have players like that.

“He looked like he was playing for rag-a****d Rovers. He has got previous when it comes to rash tackles and daft mistakes. Just when Leeds needed their experienced players to keep a nice steady head and regroup, that happens.”

Can’t be trusted

Whelan is right about Berardi, and despite him being a good player he costs Leeds with these silly errors far too often.

The former Sampdoria man can play anywhere across the back four at a competent level, and his numbers when he plays as a centre-back tell a huge story.

Before the Derby game, he had an impeccable record when stepping in as a centre-half this season, but this most recent incident of indiscipline could be the final straw as it once again highlights the main problem in his game.

This is becoming far too often of an occurrence for the Whites. The Swiss man has now been sent off more times than anyone else in the club’s history except for Alan Smith.

Perhaps there is still a place for him at the club, but he certainly shouldn’t play in such high stakes matches in the future. Leeds’ interest in Yoann Barbet may mean he drops down the pecking order next season, and he will most likely only be called upon in the most desperate of times.