Wijnaldum struggling at PSG since Liverpool free transfer
James Shearman
- Updated: 6 Oct 2021 18:28 BST
- 3 min read
Georginio Wijnaldum's slow start to life at Paris Saint-Germain is causing concern.
The midfielder left Liverpool for the Ligue 1 giants last summer on a Bosman transfer but has so far failed to settle into a role within Mauricio Pochettino's team.
Now, the comments made by his national team coach have highlighted the issues that Wijnaldum is experiencing and have made the situation seem quite alarming.
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In fact, of the seven new signings, the Dutchman is arguably having the toughest time of it, besides Sergio Ramos who is yet to make an appearance.
And many believe the problem could even lie at the hands of the greatest footballer of all time, meaning it will be difficult to solve.
What is going on with Wijnaldum?
Van Gaal boss is rightfully concerned about Wijnaldum's current situation.
"Of course I'm worried! And I already talked to him about it when he joined us," he said.
That's because the 30-year-old transformed himself into one of the world's top box-to-box midfielders in Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool system.
In a three-man midfield, the former Newcastle man was often the one with the license to venture forward into attacking areas, with the safety net of the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho behind.
Additionally, the work rate of the Reds' attacking players were far superior to that of most other elite level teams.
Curtis Jones isn’t the Wijnaldum replacement, he’s the upgrade.
Gini could never advance play at every chance he had the way Curtis is.
Absolute baller we have on our hands. pic.twitter.com/jOmYu2EbIK— 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒄𝒐🧣 (@KIopptinho) September 28, 2021
Contrast that to Pochettino's current PSG team which includes stellar offensive talents Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and either Angel Di Maria or Marco Verratti and you can picture the issue at hand.
Whichever quartet is employed offers little defensively, meaning the two remaining midfield positions have recently been handed to the more defensive-minded Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera.
As such, Wijnaldum simply doesn't have a place in the current side, unless a host of injuries were to occur to a squad overwhelmed with options in every position.
And that's perhaps the most concerning part of the whole ordeal - PSG's outrageous squad depth - as it is debatable if Wijnaldum will ever truly fit into his Argentine bosses' plans.
Is Wijnaldum already regretting his decision to leave Liverpool?
