“The problem is he is so good…”
So said Rafa Benitez about Georginio Wijnaldum last season. Newcastle United may have experienced a season to forget resulting in their relegation to the Championship, but the Dutchman was a rare source of joy in a season horribilis.
What his (current) manager meant was that Wijnaldum’s exceptional abilities in a number of different roles made it difficult to decide where to play him. As Benitez explains:
“He can play everywhere and do well, We were thinking about where to play him the other day, and we said: ‘His best position could be behind the striker’. But because he is doing well he can play on the right, he can play on the left.
“And even then I was talking to him about when he was playing against Costa Rica in the World Cup in Brazil, in a deeper position, and he can play there too because he is so good.
“On saying that, he is so good up front because he can create and score goals. I think that his best position is behind the striker but we need quality now out on the pitch, so he can help in any position.”
High praise indeed from a man who has coached some of the finest players of the last decade, including Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and David N’Gog. Certainly there are many Liverpool fans who are hugely excited by the potential signing of the genial 25-year-old.
2 things that I'm excited about Wijnaldum that LFC lacks are;
1) Makes late intelligent runs into the box
2) Jumps & heads very well @ 5'9
— Sham #Palestine🇵🇸 (@LFC_RedBlooded) July 18, 2016
Wijnaldum: Versatile, very strong in the dribble, attack-minded, intelligent runs, good in transition, speed of feet plus thought#LFC
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) July 17, 2016
Wijnaldum has great athleticism, carries the ball well, can play in multiple position, makes good runs into the box from deep
— Kieran (@Kieran_LFC10) July 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/AnfieldObserver/status/755096200056016896
https://twitter.com/jamieK206/status/755104914016198656
https://twitter.com/LucFergie/status/755284914573107201
There is no denying that Wijnaldum is a highly skilled player with many strings to his bow. If anything he has yet to show his full potential in English football and performed admirably in a struggling side lacking in quality and confidence.
That said, you should always listen to those who watch a player on a weekly basis. They can provide a unique insight that you cannot obtain from watching a handful of games a season, or catching the highlights on Match Of The Day.
The Dutch midfielder is a popular figure amongst Newcastle fans. They seem to admire his loveable personality almost as much as his feats on the pitch. However, they do warn Liverpool fans that he may only really be of use at Anfield.
It seems his performances at home and away differ hugely. In the warm bosom of St. James’ Park, Wijnaldum has been an effervescent bundle of energy, scoring and creating goals and causing the opposition all sorts of problems. But in away games…less so.
Perhaps that has something to do with his relative inexperience in a new country, or the form of the team as a whole. But it is definitely food for thought for Liverpool supporters looking forward to his arrival…
Wijnaldum is a top player and will be a huge success at Liverpool but his non-existence away from home contributed to our relegation #nufc
— Paul McMahon (@paulmcmahon7) July 18, 2016
All these scousers getting excited about Wijnaldum haven't realised he doesn't turn up for away games #nufc
— George Relton (@GeorgeRelton) July 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/SurreyMag/status/755003438900056064
https://twitter.com/SurreyMag/status/755011175247675392
Dear @LFC,
It's £20mil min for Wijnaldum. Plus add ons. Including his 'away from home invisibility cloak'. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/V0xYOoGulm
— ByTheMinute NUFC ⚫⚪ (@ByTheMinNUFC) July 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/GarethDebuchy/status/754809791868960768
https://twitter.com/SMPint/status/755045430660956162
