Georginio Wijnaldum was more infuriating than inspired at Newcastle United – though it’s been the other way around at Liverpool.
Georginio Wijnaldum may have netted 11 goals in his debut Premier League season with Newcastle United but that did not absolve the Dutchman of any criticism when The Magpies succumbed to relegation.
There was no doubting the former PSV captain’s ability, his ability to arrive late into the box like Frank Lampard in his pomp. But the accusation that Wijnaldum would go missing in times of need became increasingly recurrent as the season progressed.
On occasion, the £14.5 million midfielder (BBC) appeared to be coasting through games, contributing little at either end and bordering on the anonymous.
Therefore, gushing praise from his current Liverpool team-mate Emre Can won’t resonate too much with Newcastle supporters.
“Wijnaldum is a very, very important player for us, because he is the link man,” the Germany international told Liverpool’s official website.
“He is doing it very well. He is strong as well, a very strong guy. He can play, he is a very good footballer, but defensively he is working very well [too].
“He is not ‘eye-catching’ sometimes but he is doing the dirty work for us.”
Wijnaldum, who famously did not score an away goal last season for Newcastle, has become something of a man for the big occasions since moving to Anfield in the summer.
The 26-year-old scored the clincher against Arsenal, the winner against Manchester City and an equaliser against Chelsea, justifying his hefty and somewhat questionable price tag.
If only Newcastle benefitted from such performances on a consistent basis. He may have been one of their liveliest attackers at times last season but they could have done with Wijnaldum doing the ‘dirty work’ at St James’ too.
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