On June 10th, 2020, Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch midfielder spent five years at Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League along the way. After failing to agree on terms over a new deal at Anfield, the 30-year-old opted for a fresh challenge, linking up with Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes.
But how do PSG unlock the goalscoring version of Wijnaldum that shines with the national team, as opposed to the safe midfielder who played under Jürgen Klopp? Let’s analyse the tactics required to get the best out of the Dutchman’s offensive skill set.
The Point of a Midfield Three
In each of the Netherlands’ opening three matches in the European Championship group phase, Wijnaldum played an offensive role just off the strikers. Tactically, this was a masterstroke from Frank de Boer, with the 30-year-old scoring three goals in as many games. With the PSG midfielder leading by example, the Netherlands are 12/1 in Euro 2020 odds to win the tournament and lift their first international trophy since 1988.
In Virgil van Dijk’s absence, Wijnaldum is the Netherlands captain, and the added responsibility is seemingly taking his game to new heights. While he won’t take the armband at PSG, and although the French side doesn’t play with a strike partnership, they do utilise a midfield three. As such, the Dutchman can seamlessly fit into the starting side.
However, if Pochettino demands goals from Wijnaldum, he’ll need to give him the license to roam and push high up the field. If the Parisians replicate his function as the primary attacking support at club level, there’s no reason that Wijnaldum won’t become a regular source of goals in Ligue 1.
Compliment PSG’s Existing Midfield Options
As touched on above, Pochettino favours a midfield three at PSG. Of those in the squad, few share Wijnaldum’s tactical versatility. While Ángel Di María is capable of playing off the striker, it’s not his natural position. Moreover, many of the Parisians’ other central players operate from deeper areas, such as Ander Herrera, Idrissa Gueye, Leandro Paredes, and Marco Verratti.
As evident from his national team role, Wijnaldum isn’t afraid to break the lines and make late darting runs into the penalty area. Not only will this offer support to the central attacking players, like Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe, but it would also ease the offensive responsibilities of his fellow midfielders. However, in high-stakes European matches, the Dutchman also has the intelligence to adopt a disciplined role in the eighth position, meaning that PSG won’t be vulnerable in the centre of the park.
Have Liverpool Made a Mistake?
It’s easy to say Wijnaldum is the one that got away for Liverpool, but he didn’t play as a forward-thinking player under Klopp. However, this wasn’t through a lack of quality but instead due to tactical preference. It’s clear that the 30-year-old has quality in and around the box, and now it’s time for him to show that he can transform his country form to club level.
