Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum snubbed Tottenham in 2016.
Liverpool take on Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon, with midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum something of a doubt having trained away from the first team on Friday.
The Dutch midfielder played for the Netherlands over the international break, but could miss the visit of United having emerged as a late doubt for the game.
Fans will be split over whether that would be a blow or not; in truth, Wijnaldum’s time at Liverpool has been a little mixed so far, with some supporters believing he can be valuable in big games, and many others feeling that he goes missing too often and is almost invisible away from home.
Those were the same issues which plagued Wijnaldum at Newcastle, and whilst Liverpool fans question whether Wijnaldum was worth the money as they prepare for Naby Keita’s arrival in 2018, Tottenham may just feel they dodged a bullet.
Just over a year ago, Wijnaldum revealed to Dutch magazine Voetbal International that he held talks with Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino at the Argentinian’s house, with the intention of joining Spurs.
Liverpool swooped in and pinched him away, but more than 12 months on, Tottenham may not feel that they missed out on much, with Pochettino potentially grateful that Jurgen Klopp hijacked the move.
Spurs saw Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele thrive last season, meaning Wijnaldum would have struggled to break into the team beyond them anyway, whilst the rapid development of Harry Winks may well have been stunted had Wijnaldum signed.
With Wijnaldum still somewhat unconvincing and inconsistent in the heart of the Liverpool midfield, missing out on his signature may have been something of a blessing for Pochettino, with the Spurs boss – and Tottenham fans – no doubt delighted that they have seen Winks develop instead.
The addition of Wijnaldum’s former Newcastle Moussa Sissoko didn’t go to well for Spurs, and Wijnaldum’s performances for Liverpool suggest he wouldn’t have been all that much better, with the arrival of Keita next summer poised to demote him to a bench role at Anfield – and even if he becomes available again, Pochettino should steer well clear, as Wijnaldum has so far failed to show that he can impose himself on games on a consistent basis, certainly unlike Wanyama and Dembele, whilst Winks is showing potential that he can make that step up.
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