Adrian Clarke looks at key players of the three clubs joining the Premier League in 2023/24, focusing this time on Sheffield United.
Sander Berge
Norway international Berge is an unmistakable figure in the heart of Paul Heckingbottom’s midfield, standing at 6ft 5in tall.
When he is fully fit and on song Berge is an elegant but destructive box-to-box midfielder with a powerful top speed that is extremely difficult for opponents to contain.
With the ball at his feet he can glide into the penalty area at pace, and when a team-mate is in possession he makes up ground incredibly quickly to get himself into goalscoring positions.
Two of Berge's six strikes last season (shown in the images below) stemmed from turnovers where he exploded into space before converting with composed finishes.
From quick transitions he will be a menace to Premier League opponents in 2023/24.
Hopes were high that Berge would shine brightly during Sheff Utd’s last spell in the Premier League, but he was not able to consistently make an impact.
A total of only two goals and two assists from 29 appearances will have frustrated the midfielder, but he has been a cut above most players in the Championship in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Now 25, and fully adjusted to the pace of English football, the Blades star will be better equipped to make a positive impression this time.
Anel Ahmedhodzic
Bosnian centre-back Ahmedhodzic is a huge fan favourite at Bramall Lane.
Sheff Utd’s supporters admire his wholehearted style of play, which sees him win a lot of excellent tackles and interceptions.
Sometimes he can be over-exuberant in 50-50 challenges, collecting 12 yellow cards last season, but his defending is generally superb.
The 24-year-old, who plays on the right of a back three, is also perfectly suited to the Blades’ style of play under Heckingbottom.
Like his predecessor Chris Wilder, the current Sheff Utd manager encourages his wide central defenders to push forward and join in with attacks, so Ahmedhodzic can regularly be seen striding into the danger zone with a dangerous underlap.
He scored against Wrexham in the FA Cup from one such burst, as the image below shows.
Ahmedhodzic also set up Max Lowe for a goal against Sunderland in a very similar manner, as shown below.
On top of this, Ahmedhodzic is a serious threat from corners and wide free-kicks.
All six of his Championship goals, and one assist, came from set-pieces.
Premier League teams will need to come up with plans to contain his powerful threat inside the opposition box.
See: Baldock among best £4.0m defenders in Fantasy
Also in this series
Part 1: How Kompany has transformed Burnley
Part 2: Burnley trio offer poise and pace
Part 3: How Heckingbottom has revived Sheff Utd
Part 5: Why Luton's unique approach can ruffle feathers
Part 6: Luton trio can step up in the Premier League