"Wijnaldum is a very good recruit for PSG": they are under the spell of the Dutch

When he scored the Netherlands' third goal against Brazil in the third place match at the 2014 World Cup, Georginio Wijnaldum was still playing at PSV Eindhoven.

Seven years later, he scored this Sunday against Ukraine (3-2), the first goal of his selection in an international competition since July 12, 2014. In the meantime, he wore the colors of Newcastle (one season ) and Liverpool (five seasons) before committing last week to PSG until 2024.

What an eventful first game.

A lot of good moments, also a short period of weakness but in the end brought in the win.

💪🏾 What a relief and great to see so many cheering fans in the stadium, even our King and Queen 🦁🙌🏾 #NEDUKR pic.twitter.com/V4plRozWYl

- Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) June 13, 2021

In the stands of the Johan-Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Robert Pires, the M 6 consultant, used to following the performances of the Liverpool Reds, was not surprised by Wijnaldum's performance against Ukraine.

“It's been several seasons that I find him playing at a very good level, says the 1998 world champion. That's what is hard when you play at the highest level: to be consistent.

And, physically, he is at the top.

He is in a kind of progression and Sunday's game confirms it: he is an extremely important player.

As I said on the air, he is a very, very good recruit for PSG.

"

"From the first to the last minute, he is on the cleat"

Without trying to know if Wijnaldum, 30, is stronger than the current Parisian circles (Verratti, Paredes, Gueye, Danilo, Herrera…), he emphasizes that “he will bring power, technical quality. In addition, he is always well placed, he feels the blows well, he has clairvoyance. Physically, he shines, he always gives you a solution. "

The former defender of PSG Grégory Paisley, consultant for the meeting on beIN Sports, broadcaster of the entire Euro, has retained a "great performance" from Wijnaldum. He is not "surprised" either. "He really has a super interesting profile for Paris," he slips. Before detailing the strengths of the Dutchman: “There is no such finishing ability among the current PSG midfielders. Wijnaldum is capable of turning into a scorer. This is what Verratti lacks to be a top world class midfielder. But beyond these qualities, it is especially his reliability: the guy goes on 50 games per season without any problem. And that is priceless. In addition, he was used to the intensity of the Premier League. So, from the first to the last minute, he's on the hook. "

🇳🇱 @GWijnaldum goalscorer with the Netherlands!

🌍 #PSGinternational

- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) June 14, 2021

The captain's armband he wears also gives Wijnaldum an extra dimension.

“You feel like he's a leader,” adds Paisley.

Sunday, in certain situations, we saw him round up his teammates.

It is rather interesting for the future.

"

With which players to associate it?

On stage in Paris, Luis Fernandez, another beIN Sports consultant, also appreciated the Dutchman's performance against Ukraine. "Yes, I liked it," said the former PSG coach. He has elegance, intelligence in the game and a quality of passing. We also feel that he is a leader. "And Luis continues:" From what I could see, his profile pleases me a lot. It reminds me a bit of when I brought Arteta to Paris. Rai was like that too. They were not fast players but intelligent players, who felt the game. "

Fernandez has only a small reservation. "The only doubt: it's in the work and the repetition of the races," he says. What he will miss is this great activity of being on the move a lot. As for its use in Paris, it will depend on the role that Mauricio Pochettino intends to give it. “Wijnaldum cannot play with Verratti, assures Luis Fernandez. It is not possible. It's too offensive. It takes players to attack, to put intensity, pressing. When we look at his profile, he is more in the technique, intelligence in the game, positioning, passing ... So the question is: who are we going to marry him? "

Grégory Paisley does not have the answer. But he concludes with a piece of advice: “It's up to Wijnaldum to have a discussion with Pochettino to find out how he can help Paris win. “In the meantime, the midfielder intends to help the Netherlands to continue their journey full of ambition in this Euro.