As has been rumoured for a while, Italian defender Giuseppe Bellusci has left the club on a season-long loan deal. His destination is Serie A side Empoli, who have the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season by taking up a redemption option.
It is safe to say that Bellusci has endured a footballing love/hate relationship with sections of the Leeds United support, with his displays sliding between troughs of despair and finer moments of varying glory.
Troughs such as his stropping on Twitter and offering to ‘meet’ Leeds fans. Troughs such as his one-man, panic-button display against Middlesbrough. Troughs such as his attempted overhead-kicked clearance against Rotherham. Troughs were everywhere and really outdulled some of his finer moments.
Finer moments such as his ‘guts n’ glory’ brand of defending which enamoured him to some of the Whites faithful. Finer moments such as his free kick against Bournemouth from distance in a 3-1 away win two seasons ago. Finer moments such as those when he helped hold together a crumbling rearguard.
In honesty, it wasn’t all bad, there but try telling that to a large number of Leeds United supporters who, in essence, are glad that the defender has left the club.
Giusepe Bellusci: arrives as ‘the Warrior’, leaves as ‘the Worrier’ – fans react
This fan focuses on the stabilising efect that Bellusci leaving will have.
Delighted to see Bellusci go. Bad for the dressing room and erratic on the pitch. #lufc needs stability on and off the pitch and he ain't it
— Phil Caine 💙💛 (@Cainey84) July 1, 2016
For this Leeds fan it is simply about positivity.
At last, a really positive day at #lufc. New coach, Bartley signs and we finally get rid of Bellusci .
— kent 🏆 (@kenthorton27) July 1, 2016
This fan says it’s a lacking of his footballing ability.
#lufc Bellusci was a rare thing: an Italian defender who didn't know when to play the percentage ball.
— Nigeruns (@nigrac) July 1, 2016
For Josh, Santa is around the corner.
Bellusci out, Bartley in, early Christmas at Elland Road #lufc
— Josh Booth (@boothjosh93) July 1, 2016
Whereas Paul is thinking of eating at the top table rather than out of a bin for his analogy.
Bellusci out, Bartley in? It's like having a chateaubriand for dinner instead of a two-week old pigeon corpse #lufc
— Paul (@pauljchambers) July 1, 2016
Luke meanwhile wonders about Cellino’s sanity and reasoning.
https://twitter.com/stainedglassme/status/748914650251665409
Whereas this Leeds fan states the difference between two Uniteds recent dealings.
https://twitter.com/Tomv321/status/748922637771046912
This final Tweet pretty much sums it up.
Bellusci gone and Bartley in. What a beautiful day for Leeds United Football Club. #LUFC. pic.twitter.com/ag4vb85mEp
— Right In The Gary Kellys (@RITGK) July 1, 2016