– I must admit that I personally was very critical of Sander midway through last year. – Has silenced me This is what the English football journalist James Shield says to news. He covers Sheffeld United closely as a football writer for The Star newspaper. – The criticism came simply because I could see how technically gifted he is, I thought he should show it more often. It was constructive criticism that came out of a belief in his abilities. But Sander has certainly calmed me and others who were of the same opinion when the season was over, says Shield. BECAME CONVINCED: James Shield. Photo: Private – Getting better and better Berge is highlighted as one of the highlights for a team that finished in fifth place and ended the season by losing over two games against Nottingham Forest in the playoff semifinals. But still, there have not only been pluses in the margin this season. – It was a season with two halves in terms of quality for Sander, I’m sure he himself agrees with that. He struggled for a while to produce the kind of performances everyone knows he is capable of. But in the name of justice, the whole team struggled. But as Christmas approached, Sander began to prove what a talented player he is, and he just got better and better. At the end of the season, he was recognized as one of United’s most important and influential players, Shield believes. What should Sander Berge do now? Change club this summer Stay at Sheffield United Show result This season, Berge played “only” 22 games from the start for Sheffield United in the championship series. The Asker boy lost large parts of the season due to injury problems and was only on the field in a total of 31 of Sheffield United’s 46 league matches. Therefore, not everyone is equally positive about the Norwegian’s contribution. – Was not even Sheffield United’s best The injuries put a big damper on Sander Berge’s reputation, says Stuart Rayner, who is the chief football writer for The Yorkshire Post and has covered the club closely for years. – I do not think it has helped. A player with his talent should really have been one of the two or three best players in the Championship last season, but he lost so many games that he was not even Sheffield United’s best. Morgan Gibbs-White, who himself missed almost two months with injury, was the club’s best player, Rayner told news. THINK THE INJURY HAS DESTROYED: Stuart Rayner. Photo: Private The writer says that this, combined with the fact that Berge is often disconnected, has put a damper on the supporters’ enthusiasm for the Norwegian national team player. – It was noticeable that they sang his name more in the first years than they did last season. I think it is probably an acceptance among some fans that Berge is only here to take the next step in his career, but in all fairness this is true for most players, says Rayner. Crystal clear Solbakken Sander Berge’s contract with Sheffield United expires in the summer of 2024. The club will also play in the Championship next season, and it is now speculated that Berge will be sold to a larger club in the coming months. National team manager Ståle Solbakken is at least aware that Berge should leave the English club. – With the danger of getting Sheffield United on his neck, I think it will be good for him to think about it. He does not belong in the Championship when physics and match fitness are in place, says Solbakken. CLEAR MESSAGE: Ståle Solbakken thinks Sander Berge should change club this summer. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN Berge himself is reluctant to share his thoughts on what his career will bring next season. – After the national team gathering, my agents, me and the club get to take care of it. I’ve had a nice development at Sheffield United lately. Then we will see what the future brings, says Berge himself. – The interest does not appear as strong The Star writer James Shield is not so sure that Berge will change club. – I think there is a chance that Sander can stay at United. I do not want to rule it out completely, and if he does, I know the coaching staff is confident that he will continue to be 100 percent committed to them. But I would also not be surprised if he leaves the club, says Shield. – There has been no offer for him so far and the interest in him does not appear as strong as last summer, Rayner believes. Both Sheffield United writers agree that Sheffield United will hardly let him go for anything less than they paid to buy him from Genk, who was worth 22 million pounds. – It will be in everyone’s interest if he can return to a higher level. Then the club can reinvest the money to bring in more players who are more suitable for and excited about English second-team football, says Rayner. Sunday night, Berge and Norway play against Sweden in the second match in the National League. Kick-off at Friends Arena is 20.45.
ttn-69
