Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum has been handed the Netherlands captaincy by Frank de Boer, following the injury to Virgil van Dijk which was described as ‘sad’ by the ex-Inter Milan boss.
As quoted by NOS, De Boer said: ‘It is of course sad that Virgil is not there. But as always: as one king falls away, the next king must arise. Gini is a real connector. He may be a different type of captain, but everyone is different.’
It will surely please Jurgen Klopp to see that one of his Liverpool stars has been entrusted to step up and take over a real position of authority from another of his players.
In truth, Wijnaldum should make an excellent captain for the Netherlands.
The ex-Newcastle man has previously worn the armband for PSV Eindhoven, as well as the Netherlands national team in the past.
In fact, the man who earns £75,000-a-week at Anfield (Spotrac) netted a stunning hat-trick while wearing the armband roughly this time last year against Estonia.
Klopp has previously spoken about how the 29-year-old – who turns 30 tomorrow – is a personality in the Anfield dressing room, and also a player who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
As quoted by The Mirror, he said: ‘Don’t worry, he is a personality in the dressing room. He is not the guy who says yes to everything.’
He should do a fine job as captain under De Boer, especially having spent plenty of time alongside Van Dijk for club and country.
Wijnaldum knows what is required to lead a team, and it is a credit to Klopp that two of his players are De Boer’s first and second choices for the armband.
The German has created a squad of leaders – or ‘mentality giants’ if you will.
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