Euro Sport has recently reported that Aston Villa are keeping a keen eye on Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge. It is understood that the Villans are the early favourites to acquire the services of the Norway international, who has been out of action since December after undergoing surgery to a tendon in his leg (via Euro Sport).
Berge’s Growing Frustrations In English Football
The Baerum-born sensation has endured a tough spell with the Blades as he has failed to help them get points on the board in the Premier League. Berge has featured in 14 matches for the Yorkshire outfit this term, registering one goal and one assist in multiple competitions.
The Norwegian midfield ace has struggled to be consistent with his all-round contributions as he has only averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.4 clearances, 0.8 shots, 0.9 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per 90 minutes in the English top tier. However, the 23-year-old deserves credit for being tidy with his ball-distribution after making 85.8% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
Berge is currently under contract at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2024. However, if the Blades get relegated this season, it will be difficult for Chris Wilder to keep hold of Berge which could open the door for the Villans to recruit him at the end of this campaign.
What Will The Norway International Bring To Villa Park?
When he was fit, Berge was one of the first names on Wilder’s teamsheet because of his ability to dominate the opponent physically at the centre of the park. He also boasts outstanding work-ethic both with and without the ball. Berge is a deceptively quick midfielder who can make some driving runs from midfield and has also got a wide range of passes in his locker.
The 24-time Norway international is quite composed when under pressure from the opposition but needs to add some end-product to his game if he wants to succeed at the highest level. His recent struggles with injury make him a gamble for a club like Aston Villa, but if Smith is confident that he can get the best out of the player, he should consider engineering a move to bring him to Villa Park in this off-season.
At 23, Berge is a player on the rise and would only get better with each season. He will bolster the quality of Smith’s midfield department and could form a solid midfield partnership with John McGinn and Douglas Luiz in the coming seasons. Plus, Berge has shown signs that he has what it takes to prove his worth in Premier League football and that makes him a decent option for the West Midlands outfit during the summer transfer window.
