GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM
When it comes to Oranje the story often goes about the rock-steady defensive duo of Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong’s ability to find solutions, or the unpredictability of Memphis Depay. But one man is often overlooked, although he is just as crucial as the players above.
Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum plays an important role by keeping the team together on the pitch and by emerging up front at the right time.
For years, the Rotterdam-born midfielder was described as a “mailman” during his spells at Feyenoord and PSV in the Eredivisie, accused of running with the ball at his feet for too long, bringing the ball to a team-mate rather than passing it.
It was his Premier League switch from Newcastle United to Liverpool in 2016 that made the difference. In Jurgen Klopp’s system, the indefatigable Wijnaldum can do what he does best on the pitch: being everywhere he is needed. With eight goals during the qualifiers – Netherlands’ top scorer – Frank de Boer knows that he cannot do without his midfield motor.