EURO 2020: Nigel de Jong insists Gini Wijnaldum is ‘up there with the most underrated players’
Gini #Gini
Liverpool’s decision to let Gini Wijnaldum escape for free is looking more bizarre by the game, especially after Nigel de Jong’s lavish praise of the Holland captain.
The midfielder shepherded his side into Euro 2020’s last-16 on Monday, scoring a double as the Netherlands steam-rolled North Macedonia 3-0 in Amsterdam.
Wijnaldum now has three goals in as many games at the tournament, continuing a superb summer for the 30-year-old. With 25 goals for his nation, the Dutch skipper surpassed the iconic Marco van Basten’s tally in orange.
Gini Wijnaldum ran the show again in Amsterdam as Holland easily beat North Macedonia 3-0
De Jong has been hugely impressed with PSG’s new signing, and believes Wijnaldum doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
‘He’s always on the move and looking for the ball to drop in that area. That’s what makes him so special,’ the 2010 former World Cup finalist said on ITV punditry duty.
‘Talk about an underrated player, I think Gini is up there with the most underrated players when it comes down to his work ethic and also quality-wise.
‘When they’re missing Van Dijk he’s the next man to step up and being the captain that he is he leads by example.’
Nigel De Jong has been hugely impressed by Wijnaldum this summer, calling his ‘underrated’
‘Three goals in the group stages of a big tournament is something you can be proud of.’
Sitting alongside De Jong, former Chelsea Ladies player Eni Aluko added that Liverpool will ‘struggle to replace’ Wijnadlum at Anfield this summer.
He joins PSG on a three-year deal, having won the Champions League and Premier League in five years under Jurgen Klopp.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich also had their eye on the star before he was snatched up by the Ligue 1 side, and Wijnaldum will surely be missed in red.
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