Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum has admitted he could have joined Merseyside rivals Everton last summer.
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum in action
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been quoted by The Sun as saying that he could have joined Everton last summer, but chose Newcastle United instead.
Wijnaldum, 25, joined Liverpool from Newcastle as he made an instant return to the Premier League following the Magpies’ relegation to the Championship – and he already appears to be a key player for manager Jurgen Klopp.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum
The Netherlands international has started in every Premier League game so far this season, and has only been off the pitch for two minutes having carved out an important role under Klopp.
Wijnaldum is looking to make his latest transfer a success – and he’s been looking back on his decision to join Newcastle United last summer, where he hit 11 goals and five assists last season.
Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring the third goal for Newcastle from the penalty spot
The Dutchman’s stats were impressive, but he received major criticism for his performances, particularly in the second half of the season as he went missing in Newcastle’s unsuccessful battle against the drop.
Now, Wijnaldum has claimed – as quoted by The Sun from an interview with Dutch football magazine Voetbal International – that he doesn’t regret his move to Newcastle, and suggested that a conversation with former Magpies boss Steve McClaren helped him make the decision to join a ‘gigantic club’ at St. James’ Park.
The former Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven star revealed that Everton wanted to sign him last summer, and he had a ‘good feeling’ about joining the Toffees before signing for Newcastle, meaning he was close to representing the blue half of Merseyside rather than the red.
Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring his fourth goal in Newcastle’s win over Norwich
“Last year lots of clubs wanted to sign me,” said Wijnaldum. “But I didn’t want to go to Italy, France or Germany — the Premier League was my aim. Everton were interested in me and I had a good feeling about them until I went to look at Newcastle. People in Holland don’t realise what a gigantic club they are. And after a talk with Steve McClaren I was on board.”
“The club’s plans looked promising but, in practice, few of them came to fruition. I have never lost as many matches in a season and in the end we went down. But I stand behind my decision 100 per cent. I went with my feelings and I can look back on a good season. I can have no complaints about the good fortune I have had in my career,” he added.
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