Bayern Munich's head coach Vincent Kompany has praised Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, who attracted interest from Chelsea last summer. The Belgian manager believes the Norwegian has the quality to perform at the very highest level of European football.
Following the sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million, Chelsea were on the lookout for a replacement. According to BBC Sport, as the transfer window drew towards its end, Chelsea were weighing up a move for Berge.
However, an official offer never came, with Fulham making it clear they were not prepared to part with the 28-year-old midfielder.
Now, interest in the Norwegian could resurface. Chelsea still aim to bolster their midfield, although their primary target remains Alex Scott from Bournemouth.
Kompany's comments have provided fresh impetus to Chelsea’s interest in Berge, particularly given their historical connection during his tenure at Burnley in the 2023/24 season.
Ahead of a Champions League match against Norwegian side Viking, the Bayern coach remarked:
I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best players in Europe, and I can say that Sander Berge is a very, very, very underrated player.
Kompany is confident that Berge could have achieved significantly more had circumstances been different.
The Belgian continued:
He has always possessed the qualities to play at that level. I think he’s had a bit of bad luck in his career: injuries came at the wrong moments.
Additionally, in the Premier League, he often found himself playing for teams that struggled. Perhaps it all happened at less than ideal times.
But in terms of skill, talent, and personal qualities, he is capable of playing at the highest level of European football.
Berge joined Fulham from Burnley in August 2024 for £20 million. Since then, he has made 80 appearances for the London side, contributing with one assist.
At the international level, the midfielder has played 75 matches for Norway, helping the national team reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated by England.
His contract with Fulham runs until 2029, with an option to extend for another season, putting the club in a strong negotiating position.
It remains unclear if Chelsea will revisit their pursuit of the Norwegian in January. However, Kompany’s words have once again drawn attention to a player they had previously considered as a potential replacement for Fernandez.
