Sander Berge shuts down rumours linking him to Chelsea
Speaking to TV 2, via SportsWitness (h/t Football.London), Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge has shut down any rumours linking him to Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Norwegian international was happy to know that clubs of such stature were interested in his services, but things did not go as planned to make the move. He then quickly brushed the rumours off by saying that people should not look much into it.
Chelsea, along with Liverpool were linked with a move for Berge on the deadline day of the transfer window. But nothing materialised on that front.
Here’s what the 24-year-old has had to say about these rumours (h/t Football.London):
“There was a lot of interest, concrete interest, you weighed things up a bit, it had to work out for both the club and me, and it didn’t happen. It’s always nice to sit in a position and know that there were clubs that were very interested.
There is nothing negative about clubs of that size being mentioned, but you shouldn’t put too much into it.”
The Blues ended up signing Denis Zakaria on a season-long loan from Juventus in the final hours of the transfer window.
If we look at the options they have in midfield, it is high time the midfield succession plan is put into practice. Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are in their final 12 months of the contract, while Conor Gallagher has so far struggled to have an impact playing in the middle.
The other issue is the age and availability. Kante is 31 and has struggled to play games regularly due to injuries in the last 18 months. Jorginho (30), on the other hand, would probably depend on new manager Graham Potter fancying him or not going forward.
Berge is a quality midfielder who has his limitations experience-wise, having played only close to 2000 minutes of Premier League football in the two seasons Sheffield United were in the top flight. He is a former Genk player and has 30 caps for the Norway national team.
The last season saw him playing in the Championship for the Blades, scoring six goals and assisting four in 33 league appearances, including the playoffs. He can play as a central midfielder and convert to a centre-back if required.
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He is still only 24 though, meaning there is room for improvement in his game which can happen the more elite football he plays. Let’s see if Chelsea are interested in him come January or next summer.
