The encouraging figures behind Sander Berge's Sheffield United career

It was instructive, after he was asked to assess the performances of Sheffield United’s record signing Sander Berge, to hear Chris Wilder outline the challenges players face when they move clubs, let alone countries.
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Four games into his Bramall Lane career, the Norway international has yet to reproduce the type of performances which also saw scouts from Napoli take up residence in Genk earlier this term.

But that, Wilder insisted last night, is inevitable given the unique demands of Premier League football. Nor, the United manager reminded, is it any reflection on Berge’s ability that a period of adjustment is required.

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“I’m delighted with Sander,” Wilder said. “I’m really pleased with what I’m seeing. He’s getting up to speed and he’s fitted in seamlessly.”

Berge’s displays have been solid rather than spectacular since arriving, in a £22m deal, from Belgium during the January transfer window. But acknowledging his transition to life in England has been made even more complicated by the fact he has been deployed in a slightly different position to the one he mastered with the Jupiler League outfit, Wilder also noted how Berge’s display during Tuesday’s FA Cup win over Reading was the youngster’s best in a United shirt. With John Fleck and Oliver Norwood both sitting out that game, Berge found himself operating in his preferred deeper midfield lying role.

Given United’s pioneering system - their take on the 3-5-2 formation requires an almost telepathic understanding between their players - Berge requires time to learn the movements of those around him and the runs they make.

That is reflected by figures which reveal his passing averages for United fall below those he has built-up over the season as a whole; 75 per cent of his balls in a red and white shirt have reached their intended target compared to a figure of 91.1 per cent covering the period since August. But crucially his percentages against AFC Bournemouth (81) and Brighton and Hove Albion (79), who packed their defence en route to a 1-1 draw last month - are a marked improvement on the 67 per cent of passes Berge completed on his debut at Crystal Palace.

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These, combined with his contribution at the Madejski Stadium, represent an encouraging upward trend which, Wilder argued ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Norwich City, illustrates the 22-year-old’s tactical intelligence. Likewise the fact he is routinely making more interceptions for United - an average of five per Premier League fixture - than he did with Genk (4.7).

Sander Berge in action for Sheffield United, following his £22m move from Belgian club Genk: Simon Bellis/SportimageSander Berge in action for Sheffield United, following his £22m move from Belgian club Genk: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sander Berge in action for Sheffield United, following his £22m move from Belgian club Genk: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“We’ve got to give people time,” Wilder said. “There are always expectations individually and as a team and those have gone through the roof. I accept that and I understand it.

“I can’t control it, I can control the stuff in-house, but we’d rather have this than a very low expectation.”

“We feel we’re in a good place,” he added. “Sander has fitted in seamlessly as a person and he’ll get better and up to speed, as they (the new signings) all will, in time.”