The Liverpool midfielder thinks very highly of the Ajax and Netherlands youngster, thought to be on the radar of the Reds, Manchester City and Barcelona.
As the January transfer window slowly inches ever closer, the rumour mill is starting to pick up pace.
One of the players tipped to make a high-profile move in January is Ajax youngster Frenkie de Jong.
Despite being just 21 years old, the Dutchman has developed into a star player since coming through the ranks at Willem II and subsequently joining the Ajax academy.
Indeed, De Jong is often being tipped for a move to Barcelona and Manchester City, such is the hype around him, while Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest.
The youngster is also proving a sensation at international level as he showed composure and vision beyond his years to help the Netherlands qualify for the Nations League semi-finals.
Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum had some very kind words to say his national teammate in comments that many Reds fans will hope could sway De Jong’s future in their favour.
“With his dribbles he always ensures there is a good connection from defence to midfield and from midfield to attack,” Wijnaldum told Voetbal International.
“He is always able to create space because he is a) always available and b) with his actions he creates many situations: he forces opponents to choose, they have to come out of position, lose their marker, which can automatically make space or give us a free man.
“That makes it easier for me to play football. I am someone who naturally likes to move. With Frenkie, I can play much more in the possession, so that in certain situations I also get closer to the opponent’s goal. The goals against Germany and France are good examples. I can get there on time now, whereas it was much more difficult for me, because I played a controlling role.
“[He is] so good and special that in Netherlands you don’t hear anyone say he must play faster when he starts dribbling. I find that special. I know, the ball is always faster, but sometimes you have to let players dribble to make a difference.
“Now young players get to hear that they are taking it too far, while I think: ‘No, let them develop it!’ Why do you think we were able to play that stiff French team from time to time? That has to do with the skills of the Dutch players. If you have that in your team, that’s a blessing.”
Although Man City are thought to be in pole position for De Jong’s signature, as reported by Goal.com, we all know that the transfer market can and does conjure up some surprising developments at times.
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