Sander Berge

[Hypermusec]

The only thing I worry about when signing Norwegian players (generally speaking) is their mental toughness. Not saying that all are weak minded or anything, but there's been many talented players from Norway getting transfers abroad and since the good old 90s most of them have failed to live up to expectations. You can say whatever you want about Zlatan, but he has the mental toughness to be a winner. Sometimes it seems that Norwegian players are not fully ready for "real world" out there. There's tougher competition for the places and you need to fight harder to just get in the squad. It sometimes feels like Norway is Hobbiton where the only thing you need to worry about is your next meal or if your neighbour is keeping his garden tidy, but when they go out there - it's fucking Mordor and most of them are not prepared for it.

That said, I'm not sure that is the case with Sander Berge. The way he's always taken the next level in his stride and always seems composed which is a good sign in my opinion. As far as my knowledge goes, he has become a vital part of Genk, who produce good players, in a short space of time... and he's much taller than a hobbit.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

The only thing I worry about when signing Norwegian players (generally speaking) is their mental toughness. Not saying that all are weak minded or anything, but there's been many talented players from Norway getting transfers abroad and since the good old 90s most of them have failed to live up to expectations. You can say whatever you want about Zlatan, but he has the mental toughness to be a winner. Sometimes it seems that Norwegian players are not fully ready for "real world" out there. There's tougher competition for the places and you need to fight harder to just get in the squad. It sometimes feels like Norway is Hobbiton where the only thing you need to worry about is your next meal or if your neighbour is keeping his garden tidy, but when they go out there - it's fucking Mordor and most of them are not prepared for it.

That said, I'm not sure that is the case with Sander Berge. The way he's always taken the next level in his stride and always seems composed which is a good sign in my opinion. As far as my knowledge goes, he has become a vital part of Genk, who produce good players, in a short space of time... and he's much taller than a hobbit.

It's okay, I think Spurs have always done alright with the Norwegians to play for us over the years!

 

[Cinemattis]

I´ve just spent some time checking the Norwegian media for new links. Neither the newspaper that first broke the story (Dagbladet), nor any of the TV broadcasters or other national (or local) newspapers have said anything since yesterday afternoon. I´ve also tried to reach out to personal contacts at his old club here (they´re up for a 15% stake of the resell fee), and to some contacts I have at the broadcaster with the PL rights.

Apparently the rumour started because his agent is in London right now. Several sources (that all could be the same one originally) mention Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton. Sevilla is still the most talked about, and some have also mentioned Watford and Fulham.

Sorry I can´t bring any more news either way.

 

[Cinemattis]

The only thing I worry about when signing Norwegian players (generally speaking) is their mental toughness. Not saying that all are weak minded or anything, but there's been many talented players from Norway getting transfers abroad and since the good old 90s most of them have failed to live up to expectations. You can say whatever you want about Zlatan, but he has the mental toughness to be a winner. Sometimes it seems that Norwegian players are not fully ready for "real world" out there. There's tougher competition for the places and you need to fight harder to just get in the squad. It sometimes feels like Norway is Hobbiton where the only thing you need to worry about is your next meal or if your neighbour is keeping his garden tidy, but when they go out there - it's fucking Mordor and most of them are not prepared for it.

That said, I'm not sure that is the case with Sander Berge. The way he's always taken the next level in his stride and always seems composed which is a good sign in my opinion. As far as my knowledge goes, he has become a vital part of Genk, who produce good players, in a short space of time... and he's much taller than a hobbit.

To some extent I will back you on this. After our "golden generation" that qualified for the 94 and 98 World Cups, lots of so called "big talents" just never developed into real players like the ones in the 90s. We "lost" a generation of footballers, and our national side and the top league went south. Things are looking brighter for this upcoming generation though, already proving they have more of what it takes to succeed abroad.

 

[Haddock]

The only thing I worry about when signing Norwegian players (generally speaking) is their mental toughness. Not saying that all are weak minded or anything, but there's been many talented players from Norway getting transfers abroad and since the good old 90s most of them have failed to live up to expectations. You can say whatever you want about Zlatan, but he has the mental toughness to be a winner. Sometimes it seems that Norwegian players are not fully ready for "real world" out there. There's tougher competition for the places and you need to fight harder to just get in the squad. It sometimes feels like Norway is Hobbiton where the only thing you need to worry about is your next meal or if your neighbour is keeping his garden tidy, but when they go out there - it's fucking Mordor and most of them are not prepared for it.

That said, I'm not sure that is the case with Sander Berge. The way he's always taken the next level in his stride and always seems composed which is a good sign in my opinion. As far as my knowledge goes, he has become a vital part of Genk, who produce good players, in a short space of time... and he's much taller than a hobbit.

It's the same for all young talented players in my humble opinion. It's all about the environment these young players comes to. Ajax and Genk are both prime example of high quality youth setups.

Zlatan has been quite open with how he struggled his first year in Ajax. Playing video games late at night and eating junk food, issues with adapting to his new life. Zlatan has done brilliant PR building his trademark as the troubled immigrant kid from the suburbs. Zlatan vs the world and all that. But the reality is much less black and white.

My point is that these mental aspects of professional sports are much more complex than just having it or not having it.

Anyway, Sander Clegane Berge looks like the type of player that Pochettino would love working with. Here's one hoping.

 

[freeeki]

From the brief clips I've just watched on YouTube (lol), pleasantly surprised - when we talk 20 year olds who are 6ft4, I expect them to be a bit gangly and clumsy, Peter Crouch-esque, but this guy looks like a bit of a powerhouse, especially given his age - much like De Ligt in that sense. If we signed them both we'd be shit hot in a couple of years.

 

[bceej]

Looks like a poundland Milinkovic-Savic. Might just be cos he's 6'4", lanky as fuck and plays in midfield though.

Who also came through the ranks at Genk. They churn out decent players!

 

[Twizzle]

lets see you guys make up a song for this bloke

 

[LeParisien]

Our Norwegian posters are comfortable the best nationality on this forum.




Apart from french ?

 

[Cinemattis]

This bloke can cover CB too. So plenty of options.

@daryl hannah : what are you on about, and what´s with the disagree? Berge has never started a senior game as a CB. True that he might have been pulled down to a CB position at the end of one or two matches at Vålerenga because of injuries to other players and no more substitutions left. But to say he can cover as a CB simply isn´t true. It´s on the same level as to say that Dembele can cover as a CB.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I'd like a bit more proven quality wise but at this stage i'd take Lobotka, Berge and Grealish for Dembele and Sissoko, with Dier replacing Toby as long as we get Martial as part of the deal.

Wanyama and Berge as primary DMs, with Lobotka covering there.

Eriksen, Allí, Winks, Lobotka and Grealish as number 8 options.

Wouldn't be perfect but not too shabby either.

I'd take Berge as an addition to Grealish and a quality CM for sure, if Dembele left, does look an interesting talent.

 

[muppetman]

Never heard of the guy before but seems to fit the profile for us - young, hardworking and chance to be improved.

 

[Cinemattis]

I'd like a bit more proven quality wise but at this stage i'd take Lobotka, Berge and Grealish for Dembele and Sissoko, with Dier replacing Toby as long as we get Martial as part of the deal.

Wanyama and Berge as primary DMs, with Lobotka covering there.

Eriksen, Allí, Winks, Lobotka and Grealish as number 8 options.

Wouldn't be perfect but not too shabby either.

In my personal opinion I´d much rather have Berge than Sissoko seven days a week. Sissoko might (have) be(en) better on his best days (before he came to us), but the potenital of Berge is sky high compared to what Sissoko has shown for us.

But at the same time: who hasn´t more potential than Sissoko...? //

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Wow. The whole window wait for mighty Sander berge. We are going to win the CL.
Please don't tell me how good he can be under poch.

How much did you know about milinkovic-savic when he was at Genk? How much would you love to sign him now that we can’t afford him? How much did you know about Matic when we was at Kosice? How many PL titles has he won now?

 

[TonyCastello]

@daryl hannah : what are you on about, and what´s with the disagree? Berge has never started a senior game as a CB. True that he might have been pulled down to a CB position at the end of one or two matches at Vålerenga because of injuries to other players and no more substitutions left. But to say he can cover as a CB simply isn´t true. It´s on the same level as to say that Dembele can cover as a CB.

Berge played CB in a U21 national game against England two years ago. He got destroyed by Rashford. If I remember correctly England won 6-1.

 

[daryl hannah]

@daryl hannah : what are you on about, and what´s with the disagree? Berge has never started a senior game as a CB. True that he might have been pulled down to a CB position at the end of one or two matches at Vålerenga because of injuries to other players and no more substitutions left. But to say he can cover as a CB simply isn´t true. It´s on the same level as to say that Dembele can cover as a CB.

Have a look on transfermarkt performance data - then look at the picture on the right of the data showing the positions he has played (and do it by season) - all I'm saying is he HAS covered at CB.

Edit: Well look in 15/16 he played against Start in a 2:0 win and played 90 mins as CB. That's all I'm saying.

 

[chinaman]

The only thing I worry about when signing Norwegian players (generally speaking) is their mental toughness. Not saying that all are weak minded or anything, but there's been many talented players from Norway getting transfers abroad and since the good old 90s most of them have failed to live up to expectations. You can say whatever you want about Zlatan, but he has the mental toughness to be a winner. Sometimes it seems that Norwegian players are not fully ready for "real world" out there. There's tougher competition for the places and you need to fight harder to just get in the squad. It sometimes feels like Norway is Hobbiton where the only thing you need to worry about is your next meal or if your neighbour is keeping his garden tidy, but when they go out there - it's fucking Mordor and most of them are not prepared for it.

That said, I'm not sure that is the case with Sander Berge. The way he's always taken the next level in his stride and always seems composed which is a good sign in my opinion. As far as my knowledge goes, he has become a vital part of Genk, who produce good players, in a short space of time... and he's much taller than a hobbit.

What if he's a direct descendent of a Viking?

 

[robertgoulet]

Never heard of this kid until yesterday. Spent the evening watching videos. And then moved on the videos of him. Really like the look of him!

 

[Univarn]

No ITK or news that I've read has said we've made an offer so not sure where denying that is coming from all the same, FYI and whatnot

 

[Cinemattis]

Have a look on transfermarkt performance data - then look at the picture on the right of the data showing the positions he has played (and do it by season) - all I'm saying is he HAS covered at CB.

Edit: Well look in 15/16 he played against Start in a 2:0 win and played 90 mins as CB. That's all I'm saying.

Jees louise.... I don´t have to look at internet sites to check where Sander Berge´s position on the field is: I have watched him live for years. First of all: Norwegian football is played in calendar years - there is no such thing as the 15/16 season. It is either the 2015 or the 2016 season. OK - so he played one game as a CB 4 years ago. Against a team that had to play qualification to survive in the top league (and was relegated the next year). I´m telling you mate: he´s not a cover at CB for a PL side.