Sander Berge’s arrival at Sheffield United was very welcome during the January transfer window.
The club are in a very positive period, quite incredibly managing to be fifth in the Premier League, and getting endless deserved plaudits. Such an environment was great for the midfielder to arrive in after his exit from Genk, and fans have already taken to the big Norwegian, giving the 21 year old his own song.
All of this has been covered extensively in Norway, and TV2 sent a reporter to Sheffield United’s match against Bournemouth on Sunday. Luckily, it wasn’t called off, with the Blades winning 2-1.
After the game, Berge spoke to TV2 about the different role he’s playing: “It requires something completely different than it has done before. Before, I had been lying and directing the game and had a lot of ball contact. Now I’m going to lie in the pockets behind their midfield and refill the box. It’s completely new to me.”
Given he’s now more all-action than previously, and in a much stronger league, the demands are greater, and it’s going to take some getting used to.
Berge is aware of that, and ready for what lies ahead of him: “It’s a role that I think I should fit in well and get used to over time. There is a lot of running and especially when I have come out in the second half I have learned that the muscles have stiffened. It is difficult to get going after sixty minutes, but it is good to get started and play 62 minutes and get two important wins.
“In the Premier League, I feel that the 6-player role is becoming more of a passing player. I am more known for playing ball. So over time, I think it would be better for me to be a kind of 8 and box-to-box player. I feel like I’m getting into it more and more and understanding my role.”
Bournemouth’s Joshua King also spoke to TV2 and said he believes Berge, his Norway national teammate, will do well in English football, with the move to Sheffield United being the right step for his career.
