Sander Berge made his debut for Burnley last night against Manchester City, just days after completing a move from Sheffield United.
Berge was deployed as one of the deep-lying midfielders in Vincent Kompany’s first XI of the season. City cruised to a 3-0 in at Turf Moor and like many Burnley players, Berge struggled.
Of course, it was impossible not to watch on with a keen eye from a Sheffield United point of view. Berge’s depature in midweek did sting and in an ideal world, he’d still be here.
However, his performance last night – albeit against the best side in the world – showed just why he never quite convinced a number of Blades fans. And in particular, why he was never a success in the deep midfield role he was originally signed to play in.
Berge struggles
There was an alarming stat pop up on the screen courtesy of Sky Sports last night just before half-time. Berge had had only six touches. Six touches. For a central midfield player on his debut. Truly baffling.
But things didn’t get too much better for Berge either across the 90 minutes.
Per stats from WhoScored, Berge ended uo having just 33 touches across the entire game. Only three Burnley players had less, and two of them were wingers who played 30 minutes less.
Berge didn’t make a single tackle. Didn’t complete a single interception. In fact, he didn’t even complete a single key pass or have a shot all evening, per the stats.
For Sheffield United fans, this is nothing new. Berge in that deep number six role just doesn’t work and never has.
Moving on
Of course, while we don’t take too much pleasure in seeing Sander struggle, it did make last night even sweeter.
United completed the signing of Gustavo Hamer late in the day and on the surface, it appears to be an upgrade by the club.
Yes, Hamer will have plenty to prove and is untested at this level just yet. But in terms of goals, assists and dynamism in midfield, the Blades fans should love him.
Certainly, watching Berge struggle and then seeing Hamer signed felt like a good end to a difficult few weeks for United.
Now, it’s onto Palace at Bramall Lane and a real hope that we can start the season well.
Sander who?