Newly installed Newcastle boss Steve McClaren made his first splash in the transfer market with the signing of Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum last week. The former PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder, who arrives in a deal believed to be worth around £14.5m – making him the third costliest acquisition in the Magpies’ history – is desperate to help turn around his new club’s fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation under former manager John Carver:
“Last year was not a good year here. But this year we can take revenge. We can help each other to get higher in the rankings. I think because of last year the players want to improve themselves and last year was an exception. I come from a team that has been Champions to a team that was close to relegation. This is a great team for me and I can learn a lot. I can feel the trust from the trainer and the people who work here. They love that I come and that gives me more confidence. That is why I want to play for Newcastle. It makes me proud.”
The History
Born in Rotterdam, Wijnaldum joined Sparta Rotterdam’s youth academy at the age of six. After spending seven seasons at his local club, the Dutch international teamed up with Feyenoord in 2004, where he would train with the reserves for the next three years. In April 2007, Wijnaldum became the youngest ever debutant for the Eredivisie giants in a 4-0 win over FC Groningen, earning the man of the match award in the process.
Having tallied three further caps in the 2006/07 campaign, Wijnaldum went on to record ten league outings the following season, before establishing himself as a regular starter from 2008/09 onwards. In his three full terms with Feyenoord, Wijnaldum bagged 22 league goals and eight assists across 98 appearances, chalking up 14 goals and one assist in his final 12 months with the club.
In the summer of 2011, Wijnaldum penned a deal with PSV Eindhoven. His debut season with Boeren was a resounding success (seven goals and eight assists), while the 2012/13 campaign proved to be his most productive to date, harvesting 14 goals and five assists.
In light of his blossoming cachet, Wijnaldum was named club captain the following summer yet managed just 11 appearances (four goals) in the 2013/14 season due to a back injury. He returned with a flourish for the 2014/15 campaign, helping PSV to their first title triumph since 2008 with a haul of 14 goals and three assists in 33 appearances from a central midfield role in a 4-3-3 set-up. The 24-year-old was subsequently honoured as the Dutch Footballer of the Year – trumping his team-mate and the league’s top scorer, Memphis Depay.
Wijnaldum turned out for the Netherlands on a regular basis at the U17 (four goals in 14 outings), U19 (five goals in 17 outings) and U21 levels (10 goals in 24 outings), before making his senior debut and scoring in an 11-0 friendly win over San Marino. He started five of Oranje’s seven match-ups during the 2014 World Cup, netting in their 3-0 win over Brazil in the third-place play-off.
The Prospects
After his new club recorded a single win in their final 11 fixtures last season, McClaren clearly needed to begin his tenure at St James’ Park with an exciting signing that could reinvigorate an ailing squad; he’s achieved just that with the capture of Wijnaldum. Speaking on the Dutchman’s arrival in the North East, McClaren said that Wijnaldum’s industry and eye for goal would be great assets to Newcastle’s midfield:
“This signing is a real statement for the club. It is a big transfer for a very good player and I am delighted to have Gini here at the club. He has lots of energy and a great tempo to his game. He is very skillful but is also capable of playing box-to-box, and – importantly – he can score goals. He is at the right age and the right fit for Newcastle. He is a leader as well and you will see that. He is someone who always wants the ball, can deal with it, and we need that kind of character in the team.”
Wijnaldum is a versatile midfielder that’s most comfortable playing in “the hole” behind a lone striker or on the left of a midfield three in a 4-3-3 set-up. As he did throughout Netherlands’ World Cup campaign, Wijnaldum can also operate as deep-lying enforcer by virtue of his work ethic and powerful stature, yet McClaren’s remarks suggest he’s keen to harness the attacking potential of Newcastle’s latest acquisition. Certainly, bearing in mind the Tyneside team managed just 40 goals last term, the Dutchman’s attacking contribution will be vital.
McClaren mainly utilised a 4-3-3 at former club Derby but has rolled out a 4-2-3-1 in both of his matches in charge of the Magpies so far, with Siem de Jong handed the support role behind Papiss Cisse. Yet to feature for his new employers, Wijnaldum could oust his compatriot from the central berth or be moved to the flank, with the likes of Remy Cabella, Moussa Sissoko, Rolando Aarons and Yoan Gouffran battling it out for a spot on the opposite wing.
Arguably, Wijnaldum would be best suited to the role in “the hole” at the expense of the oft injured De Jong, which would enhance his Fantasy prospects. Given that the Magpies’ complete roster of midfielders contributed just 14 goals last term, McClaren will hope that Wijnaldum can replicate his scoring prowess in England’s top tier, alleviating some of the pressure on their strike force.
Granted, he was playing in a less competitive league for a dominant outfit, but Wijnaldum’s tally of 82 shots last season outstripped Newcastle’s most frequent midfield shooter, Sissoko (44), by a whopping 38 attempts. Furthermore, the former PSV star boasted a superior shot conversion rate (17%) than any Toon midfielder, illustrating his potential to be a valuable pick-up in the mid-priced bracket.
At a cost of 7.0 in Fantasy Premier League, though, the Dutch recruit is the priciest option on offer at St James’ Park. Given that Newcastle lock horns with Southampton, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City within the first eight Gameweeks, most Fantasy managers will be willing to adopt a wait-and-see policy with Wijnaldum, allowing him time to settle in his new surrounds. From Gameweek 9 onwards, though, a strong run of fixtures leading up to December (NOR, sun, STO, bou, LEI, cpl) could prove an opportune time to recruit the Rotterdam native if he settles into a groove quickly.
