New Sheffield United signing, Sander Berge, was given his full debut by Chris Wilder at Selhurst Park yesterday.
The midfielder was thrust straight into the action ahead of both Mo Besic and John Lundstram. After signing in the week for a fee believed to be around £22m, the pressure was on Berge to deliver.
And deliver he did, as he delivered a more than acceptable display for a midfielder making his debut over in England.
Sander Berge put in a fine display on his Sheffield United debut. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Berge sat on the right of the midfield three. It was evident his quality was there from the opening ten minutes, with Berge involved in a lot of United’s good play and linking up well with George Baldock.
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Despite getting caught in possession a few times, Berge impressed in the main. Looking so accomplished on your Premier League debut is no mean feat. But the Norwegian looked right at home and will, hopefully for the Blades, become a star for years to come.
Following the game, there was always going to be plenty of comments about Berge’s performance. Twitter, then, was awash with comments from Blades fans about their new man.
It’s safe to say his performance went down a treat with his new supporters.
This kid is instantly likable. Future superstar and legend at the lane
— Rich (@richabrahams) February 1, 2020
Second half was better but still no where near our potential. Berge looked decent on the ball just need to get up to speed with the league. Great 3 pts today 👍⚔🔥 #sufc #twitterblades #PremierLeague
— Ｊｏｅ (@JoeSYblade) February 1, 2020
Sander Berge is good at football
— Billy (@sufcBilly) February 1, 2020
Little glimpses of it there but Berge is going to be some player. Speed and physicality of the premier league will take time to adapt to but Looks like some player we've got on our hands
— Daniel Marshall (@SufcDaniel) February 1, 2020
What a debut from sander berge. A few times where he looked out of place but once he learns the system fully he will be a star #CRYSHU
— Adam ⚔️ #LunnyOut (@AdkiSUFC) February 1, 2020
His manager, Chris Wilder, also thought it was the right decision to play Berge, despite a busy week for the youngster.
Wilder on Sander Berge: "An incredibly hectic 72 hours for him, but I thought it was the right thing to do. He looked a Sheffield United player, he was athletic and there is more to come from him." #sufc
— George Sessions (@GeorgeSessions) February 1, 2020
An outstanding future ahead – Sheff Utd News View
Make no mistake, this was the debut of a player who knows the game and knows it well.
Berge slotted straight in. That in itself is impressive, especially given the years it’s taken to perfect the system Sheffield United play.
The love with the fans, too, is already apparent. There’s rarely been such fanfare at a new signing at Bramall Lane. Berge is an instant hero, so will be afforded patience even if he does make a slow start to future games.
Sander Berge did all that was asked of him. It looks, then, that the Blades have got themselves quite the talent.
