This morning transfer gossip claims Everton are one of a host of Premier League sides keeping tabs on Sheffield United’s Norway midfielder Sander Berge.
This is an interesting one as Berge fits the profile of the sort of midfielder Everton ideally should be certainly looking at.
He’s a tall, powerful and energetic player who can play anywhere in midfield or as a holding number six type and according to Sky’s report, might also potentially end up filling in at centre-back long-term.
In addition, he’s good at carrying the ball from midfield and this is something the Blues really lack as they don’t have a player in that area of the team who is able to do that consistently, apart from Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Frenchman though has been sidelined recently with injury and his dynamic play has been badly missed. It’s no coincidence that the Toffees have struggled badly while he’s been out.
Alex Iwobi was supposed to be that player but he has ultimately failed to impress despite numerous opportunties and the occasional run of decent form.
This is important as one of the problems with this team is the lack of support for the forwards from the middle of the park. That often leaves the strikers isolated and forces the team to resort to hopeful long balls forward, which is not very effective tactics.
Adding another player who can offer such strengths as well as the defensive qualities he has, would seem a necessary and worthwhile move although he hasn’t scored many goals.
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Furthermore, Berge’s contract clauses have fallen since the Blades recent relegation and he would now be available for around £35 million. This makes him a more affordable option.
In related news the Blues have given an update on Jean-Philippe Gbamin’s situation with the club indicating he should be ready for the new season start.
This isn’t very reassuring though given how many injury problems the Ivory Coast midfielder has had since he jonied Everton and how fragile he now seems to be.
After all he got his latest injury simply colliding into another player, which usually wouldn’t result in a serious injury.
Although I think Gbamin is a good, talented player, it seems he is just never going to be strong enough to survive and go through a Premier League season without breaking down.
Everton have too many injury-prone players on their books and are too dependent on those players, especially in kepy positions so they need younger, faster and fitter footballers.
It would make sense for the Toffees to bring in another midfielder who can provide what Gbamin would have given the team. Perhaps Berge is that player?