Sepp van den Berg: A Fresh and New Start
Sepp van den Berg, a product of the esteemed PEC Zwolle academy, embarked on a journey that would take him to the pinnacle of English football. His impressive performances in the Eredivisie caught the eye of Liverpool, who secured his signature in 2019. Van den Berg’s time at Liverpool, which saw spells on loan to Preston and Mainz, provided valuable experience in a top-flight league.
The loan spell at Preston proved to be a crucial step in van den Berg’s development as he gained valuable experience playing regular first-team football and adapted well to the physical and tactical demands of the English second tier. Afterwards, his performances at Mainz caught the eye of Brentford, who secured his services on a permanent deal on August 22.
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Technical Profile
Van den Berg is a technically gifted defender. He is comfortable on the ball and can play out from the back with ease. His passing range is impressive, and he is capable of delivering accurate long balls. His decision-making is generally sound, and he has a good understanding of the game. In addition to his technical profile, the Dutchman is comfortable in defending lateral zones, often playing as a wide center back in a back three.
His ability to adjust to angles in wide zones extends beyond defensive duties, as he has shown an ability to influence attack through his long and short carries from his defensive third, which has seen him being deployed more often as a fullback. His aerial presence and ability to time his presses give him an edge in defending lateral zones, making him one of the best performing fullbacks at defensive actions in Europe this season.
Physical Attributes
Van den Berg is a physically imposing defender. He is tall and strong, allowing him to win aerial duels and dominate in physical confrontations. His pace and agility are also impressive, enabling him to cover ground quickly and recover defensively. His recovery pace has underpinned the much needed work rate when playing out wide.
Mental Attributes
Van den Berg is a mature and composed player. He has shown a willingness to take on responsibility and lead his team. His focus and concentration are impressive, and he rarely makes mistakes.
Playing Style
Van den Berg is a versatile defender who can play as a center-back or a right-back. As a center-back, he is strong in the air and good in one-v-one situations. He is also capable of playing in a back three. As a right-back, he is comfortable overlapping and providing width. He is a good defender, but his attacking output could improve if he is too play as a fullback more often.
Potential
As he approaches 23 years of age, it’s clear to see that Sepp van den Berg has the potential to develop into a top-level defender. His combination of physical attributes, technical ability, and mental strength make him a promising prospect. With continued development, he could become a key player for Brentford and the Dutch national team.
His performances for Liverpool and on loan at various clubs have showcased his potential. His versatility, physicality, and technical ability make him a valuable asset to any team, an acceleration of his development should be expected after finally getting a permanent transfer.
By: @free__flowing
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / NurPhoto