Who is Georginio Wijnaldum?

Is 'Gini' the catalyst for a new Toon Dawn?
Is ‘Gini’ the catalyst for a new Toon Dawn?
With PSV confirming on their own site that Georginio Wijnaldum has left the team hotel to undertake a medical at Newcastle, now seems like the right time to have a look at him and see why he comes with such a big price tag.

At 24-years-old Wijnaldum has his best years ahead of him. He comes with pedigree as a Championship winner, having won the Eredivisie in 2014/2015 with PSV Eindhoven and if that is not impressive enough, he did this as the team Captain – chipping in with solid 14 goals from 33 appearances as a midfielder. Wijnaldum is affectionately known as ‘Gini’ to his fans – and with such a mouthful for a surname, you can expect Toon fans to carry this on.

Born in Rotterdam in 1990, Gini was signed by Feyenoord for their youth side and became the youngest ever player to represent their senior team at the age of 16 years and 148 days. He’d go on to appear and score on the European stage in the Uefa Cup by the time he was 18 and represented Holland at all of the junior levels.

In 2011 Gini was scooped up by PSV Eindhoven for 5-million-euros. He quickly established himself as a first teamer thanks to his drive from midfield in his favored attacking playmaker role contributing goals as well as direct and indirect assists. That season he would make his first senior appearance for Holland in an 11-0 win over San Marino – contributing with a goal despite only being put on the pitch in the 86th minute! Mark Van Bommel retired in 2013 and Gini was made Captain by new coach Phillipe Cocu. Unfortunately, he sustained a severe back injury and only made 11 appearances that season but still managed to chip in with 4 goals. Gini got over his injury to make it into the Dutch National squad for the 2014 World Cup and got on the score sheet whilst helping Holland to a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 3rd place playoff. He’d then go on to have an exceptional season with PSV, securing the domestic title as team Captain. Including Cup competitions and Europe, Gini would make 42 appearances, scoring 18 goals and having 5 direct assists. He is also credited with being the catalyst for a lot of their other goals scored. He was so good last season, he was named Dutch footballer of the year.

So what about his attributes? At 5’8” tall, he is not the most imposing of figures – however Gini comes with blistering pace, suburb technical ability, can time his runs and get on the end of crosses and can finish with either foot. He is right footed and will happily drift onto the right wing to sling in the crosses – but he also has an eye for a pass and will thread balls through the middle if our forwards can time their runs properly. For a quick example of his wide ranging talents, click here. If you have time for a cup of tea and a proper look at his skills, click here. My favourite part of this video is at 2 minutes. It displays his leadership and drive by dropping back to his own box to defend before busting a gut to get to the other end of the pitch and finish a fantastic counter attack. Exactly the kind of drive we have not seen for a long time.

So it’s said that Newcastle have agreed to part with approximately £14 million for this talent. For a regular in a Dutch team that finished 3rd in the World Cup, for a domestic league title winning team Captain, for a player still to hit his prime, for a player with bags of ability, drive and leadership attributes – this is a more than reasonable price for a player with 3 years left to run on his current contract!

Not only is this guy set to be a catalyst for our team in terms of the way we play, he will also be a catalyst for further marquee players to join our cause – as they will recognise the clubs ambition by signing somebody like Gini and will feel more comfortable to sign for the Magpies as a result. I am not sure this signing would ever have been pulled off if Steve McClaren were not at our club for obvious reasons – so hats off to the Board for a change in getting the right coaching staff in – and loosening the purse strings for a change! There is still alot more work to do before we can expect our beloved Newcastle United to return to the top half of the table again – but this is a very promising start if the deal for Gini goes through as expected.

About Shamrock

Like everyone here, support Newcastle United. Not the easiest side to feel good about at times, but it's our side!

586 thoughts on “Who is Georginio Wijnaldum?

  1. Dunno… Bit young to be put out to pasture ain’t he?

    Sounds like Mitrovics potential stay with is could be trouble. Not getting good vibes about it. Would rather we moved on if it’s not concluded quickly…

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  2. Agree Shamrock. It’s a welcome change that we’re looking at the likes of Austin and the apparent potential of Mitrovic, but we can’t afford to be without a proper striker, if those deals don’t “get over the line”. Being realistic, either or both might well be holding out for a CL club, or just for more wedge, either way, I hope Carr has a better plan B than last summer.

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  3. Has the blog died,I see there is a problem getting a work visa. For Mis you must have played 75%of games over two.yrs he has not so he does not qualify,I see problems here that could last weeks

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  4. I can’t believe the club have gone through all this without knowing if he would get a work permit!

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  5. He will get a permit if an agreement is made with him…Just watched a few bits of footage on him. He is very good in the air and has the ability to hang up there for ages. His finishing is very calm and accurate. Not many power shots – just spots the gaps and threads the ball in. Good movement but how that translates to the fast paced Prem is another matter. I do like the fact he does not panic when taking his shot though.

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  6. Ok mate. I’m at work this afternoon but will find a few minutes to get it posted once you have finished it. Do you put them straight onto the site’s queue or do you need my e-mail address?

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  7. STUART don’t think Penfold has ever had this sort of problem but you would think Carr would know the crack

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  8. SHAM cheers for that,getting hard to comment now with a tablet when thread gets this long

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  9. Man Utd have made 2 excellent signings today in my opinion. I’m a big fan of Bastian S and both him & Morgan S are exactly what Man U need IMO.

    But there’s Saints selling Clyne & Morgan S this window again after a big clear out last season – surely they have to be seen as a selling club. I mean they are selling their best players and aren’t replacing them with top class players with loads of PL experience … basically everything we’ve done that’s seen to be bad, yet I don’t see Saints getting stick for it.

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  10. Looks like the deal is done for Mis but it is now down to the lad himself and he cannot make his mind up,give him a time line imo and move on

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  11. Exactly Ice – few more days and pull the plug. Top strikers are very thin on the ground though. Having said that is he one of them? Still just 20!

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  12. Ice – softly softly I say mate. All the hard is done, just got to make the kid feel wanted now – which I would imagine McClaren could do with ease.
    Providing the likes of Carr & Penfold are working on other deals in the mean time, then give the lad some time I reckon.

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  13. Sharpy – you could be right, patience paid off for Wini. McClaren’s in the US though for the next fortnight!

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  14. Ice – I agree. The thing for Mitrovic for me is the kid is 20yr old – what happens when pressure is applied to kids that age?! – they generally go the other way. We seem to have his family on board – if we keep them sweet, they are the ones to convince him the move is right – anyone else has an alterior motive – or that’s how he could see it.

    In the mean time, we work on alternative forwards (just in case) but certainly CBs.

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  15. Sharpy – I don’t think the club can do much else than invite his brother and Dad to the stadium, offer to double his wages and offer his club their highest offer. If he doesn’t want to come after that, then what else could we do?

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  16. Stu – dead right mate – in terms of Mitrovic there’s nowt more we can do. In terms of NUFC, the only other thing we can do is keep negotiating with other targets. All part of the game really – but at least we can see the club doing their bit nowt rather than playing that low ball game as Prem refers to.

    Regarding Austin – do we think the £9m they will get from the Sterling deal will relax their stance on Austins fee or make them dig their heels in further?

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  17. From Mitrovics dad:

    Het Nieuwsblad quote the player’s father Ivica as saying about reports a Newcastle move is almost concluded “There is nothing to it. To leave a big club like Anderlecht, all the pieces have to fit. But we are not rushed. The time will come for my son.”

    He’s giving nowt away there is he?!.

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  18. I get the feeling that Austin doesn’t want to move north. He’s a very laid back guy and probably relaxed about another season in the CC.

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  19. Georgio – maybe, but I bet in the back of his mind he’s thinking of the Euros next summer. He knows with another good PL season, he’s got a good chance of make that squad. Still plenty of time but I’d wager he’s not a QPR player this season.

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  20. He’s probably a long way from game time with England. Who knows with these characters Sharpy. We’re no nothings just guessing 🙁

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  21. Just watched a bit of that Okaka playing for Sampdoria. Bit of a beast. Someone said he’d flopped at Fulham though. Anybody remember that?

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  22. I am sick of reading things like this
    “Despite being only 20, he has already scored 43 goals in 89 matches for Anderlecht, bagging 11 assists in the process.”
    So what ?
    Does that mean he will be a success in the EPL ?
    Didn’t Mbiwa come with rave reviews ? Look how that one panned out.
    Seems the club have bent over backwards to sign him, and he clearly isn’t fussed and would rather wait for someone else.
    Enough is enough surely.
    Time to move on, or go back in for Austin.

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  23. Georgio – I don’t remember him being at Fulham at all mate – was it a loan deal or something?
    Looks like a big strong lad – a bit of height and strength for corners you’d hope – it’s pleasing that they are continuing to look at other targets as well though.

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  24. QPR aren’t in a good position to start demanding £15m or he stays. Two things; 1) Austin wants to be at the Euros and he won’t be if he’s playing in th Fizzy 2) He’s out of contract next season so they’ll get nothing for him.

    I reckon he will go for £13.5m

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  25. GEORGIO I remember he has a very poor goals tally even in Italy he’s been
    poor no wonder they would sell him easy,bit like Hesky big useless beast not my cup of tea

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  26. Sharpy – Don’t know mate, just sick of the whole fiasco tbh.
    Roll on 9th August and get the new season started

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  27. Boots – I understand your frustrations mate, it just doesn’t make sense to put all that graft into a transfer to then say – you’ve got 24hrs or whatever.
    I think we are doing our business well to be honest. The deal has been left on the table while we work on other targets.

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  28. Steve Bruce: With the money the owners pumped into the club he should be able to call it whatever he wants”

    Fat heeded buffoon. Can you believe this idiot was approached for the job at SJP twice ??

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  29. Going to the game tomorrow. It will be my 1st ever tailgate – $20 dollars with a sandwich and unlimited beer! Probably a false economy as I had to get a Hotel Room because I didn’t want to drive back to Chicago after that and the vendors in Miller Park bringing beer to your seats 🙂 Looking forward to a Riviere hattrick.

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  30. perhaps a good spanking would focus a few minds somewhat to the deficiencies of the defence.
    Just a thought 😉

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  31. Austin has one year left on his contract. I can see why nobody wants to pay £15m for him and why he is relaxed. Even bigger wages this time next year.

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  32. Just seen McClaren’s press conference. Why does he talk like he’s talking to someone who can’t speak a word of English and like he’s asking a question at the end of every sentence? Bit Australian…

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  33. DJG – he also runs the risk of serious injury curtailing his career before he gets that big contract, or simply not having such a good season as last.
    Plus he really needs regular EPL football exposure to get into the England team. He wont get that in the championship.
    There are risks in him staying put too.
    Personally I think he will move somewhere, as eventually someone will stump up the asking price, and the associated wages to go with it.
    Unfortunately I don’t think it will be NUFC though.

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  34. I can’t believe adverts for the John Carver Inn and Spa….It’s just not right….

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  35. Getting beauty treatments from a man who looks like Johnny C.???? Horrible…..just horrible.

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  36. The lads in Milwaukee for the big game it is then. Atlas…..don’t know anything about them. Play out of Guadalajara, have the third biggest ground in Mexico, haven’t won anything at al, but have come close a couple of times. Probably a decent side.

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  37. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a game that we lose, depending on where Atlas are in their pre-season?

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  38. Stuart; I am just doing the Milwaukee game. If the club had given more notice I would have done the others. I have a friend in Seattle and Portland, Sacramento and then LA would be a fantastic drive down Highway 1.

    I see Steve is not that happy with the logistics of the trip. They have these big metal bird things nowadays though and the flight time to Chicago isn’t that bad – about 9 hours. The players will be spending the time doing what they do anyway – playing on their phones and computers. It is not like it used to be where the players would have to take a coach or train to Portland from here.

    The weather is not too bad and Miller Park even has a retractable roof if it rains or gets too hot – it become like an indoor stadium. The west coast will be mild as it always is. It is not like the last time when the idiots organized trips to Texas and Florida in the middle of summer. Now that would have been hot.

    They’ll probably have a better time than if they went to Barnsley, Middlesboro and Milton Keynes.

    So, I don’t really see this trip as a big deal at all for the poor lambs. And last year we went to NZ FFS.

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  39. Eric I hope you enjoy the game mate. It’s just a shame that John Carver isn’t head coach anymore 🙁 You could have got his autograph.

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  40. Anyone want to knock up an article this morning? If not, I’ll find something to write about…

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  41. I would try and write one in the future, Shamrock, just super busy at work this week.

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  42. Shamrock I have one from Kimtoon that she sent just before you put this one up but from then I haven’t been near a computer to post it.

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  43. Ahh ok perfect Dave. If you send it to me I’ll get it up now..

    Prem no probe mate, looking forward to it.

    Lionel ditto 🙂

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  44. Shamrock
    July 13, 2015 at 13:31

    http://m.stv.tv/sport/football/clubs/rangers/193378-explained-uk-work-permit-rules-for-footballers/

    Work permits explained… I’m confident he’d get at least tier 5 status…”

    Unfortunately the information contained in that article (dated June 2011) is out of date. New (more stringent) rules are being introduced for the 2015/16 season and can be found on here:
    http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/gbe-criteria-2015-16.ashx?la=en (PDF File)

    Also, I think it’s unlikely that they’d apply for tier 5 status because that category is only intended for temporary workers (the initial work permit could only be granted for a maximum of 12 months). Any application that the club lodged in respect of Mitrovic would almost certainly be under tier 2, which is specifically intended for sports people.

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