Sander Berge a top, top signing for Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United
With January coming to a close, Sheffield United have pulled off one of the shocks of the transfer window, signing Norwegian Sander Berge from Genk.
For the last year or two, Sander Berge has been one of the hottest young players outside Europe’s top 5 leagues. His play in the Belgian Pro League caught the eye of many big clubs across Europe, and he was expected to make a big move sooner rather than later. Well, yesterday Berge finally made his big move – but it certainly wasn’t the club we were expecting.
Newly-promoted Sheffield United, who currently sit 8th in the Premier League, have pulled off a club-record £22 million signing for the Norwegian Berge – a deal that sent shockwaves through Premier League fanbases.
At the end of last year, Sander Berge was linked with both Chelsea and Liverpool, while Manchester United have also been linked at different points in the past. This helps reflect how big of a signing this is for Sheffield United.
In truth, a lot of the credit has to go to Chris Wilder, Sheffield’s manager. The Englishman has created a unique, intriguing playing system and has been reaping the rewards, as the Blades gun for European qualification and sit ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League table.
🇳🇴⚔️ Sander Berge Champions League and Europa League stats:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 30, 2020
17 apps
2 tackles per 90
1.7 dribbles per 90
└ 81.3% success rate
4.5 accurate long balls per 90
└ 74% long ball accuracy
3.5 aerial duels won per 90
└ 72.2% aerial duel win rate
7.10 WhoScored rating https://t.co/T88IWY1SbQ
As for Sander Berge himself, he is very much a physical specimen, capable of playing as a number 8 in midfield, a number 6 at the base of the midfield, or even as a central-defender on occasion.
At 6 foot 5, Berge makes an already imposing Sheffield side a little bit scarier, and not only is he just a big body – he can play football too, and his quality and movement on the ball is rather excellent for a player of his size.
Next. Steve Bruce over Chris Wilder or Jurgen Klopp for Manager of the Year?. dark
Along with the prolific Erling Braut Haaland, Sander Berge leads the new generation of top Norwegian talent, as they look to get back to qualifying for major tournaments regularly. No doubt Sheffield United have pulled off a masterstroke of a signing here, and it will be interesting to keep an eye on Berge’s development in England.