According to Dean Jones, Leeds United are keen on a move for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge.
Berge has been playing in the Championship for the past 12 months, and now, Leeds are ready to offer him a return to the Premier League.
Berge has been an inconsistent performer for Sheffield United this term. At times, he looks like a bona fide star, but when he fails to control a game, he can struggle.
Interestingly, Berge is currently being managed by former Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom, and according to the ex-Whites manager, the Norwegian has some real stand-out qualities to his game.
What’s been said?
Heckingbottom gave his verdict on Berge not long after getting the Sheffield United job.
“There are parts of Sander’s game that really stand-out,” Heckingbottom said.
“Depending on the role we give him, that depends on what he does.
“It’s not really an issue for me, the positional thing. He’s a midfielder, so he has to be able to attack and he has to be able to defend.
“Sander can play in a two or he can play in a three. Clearly, there are some real stand-out qualities to his game.”
Needs fine-tuning
Sander Berge has all of the physical attributes to be a truly commanding midfielder, and as Heckingbottom says, some aspects of his game stand-out – most notably his ability to drive from deep, but his game does need fine-tuning.
Yes, he has some brilliant aspects, but in certain areas, he falls short, and as a Premier League midfielder, you can’t afford that.
Berge’s footballing IQ isn’t the greatest, his tackling can be rash, and despite being 6ft 5, he’s not actually the best in the air, winning just 1.2 aerial duels per game.
Berge needs to be coached properly in order to fulfil his potential, and while a move to Leeds beckons, there are certainly question marks over whether or not Jesse Marsch is the right man to get the best out of Berge.
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