Wijnaldum: I’m not completely happy at PSG. I was looking forward to coming here and then this happens. It’s complicated

Georginio Wijnaldum was one of the key figures in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph. When he moved to PSG, he expected to continue to be an important part of the line-up. But that hasn’t happened, which is hard for the Dutchman to come to terms with.

Last season, Wijnaldum started all 38 Premier League games for Liverpool. In the vast majority, he played 90 minutes or at least the majority of the game. But when his contract at Anfield expired at the end of June, Wijnaldum decided not to extend it and left for PSG on a free transfer.

In Paris, he was part of a grand project to finally bring the Champions League trophy to the Parc des Princes. Like at Liverpool, Wijnaldum expected to be a stable player in the blue jersey in the starting line-up. But that hasn’t happened yet.

“I can’t say I’m completely happy. The situation is not what I wanted. I’ve played a lot in recent years, I’ve always been healthy and I’ve done well. This is something different and you have to get used to it. I was really looking forward to this new step and then this happens. It’s very difficult,” Wijnaldum lamented his playing time in front of reporters during the national break.

the 30-year-old central midfielder has played eight games in Ligue 1 so far, the first four in the starting line-up. However, players like Veratti and Messi have recovered or returned after the national break and Wijnaldum has lost his place.

Against Clermont he was only on the bench for the whole game, in the Champions League against Bruges he was withdrawn after half-time. Against Lyon he then came on for 5 minutes, against the Mets he was in the starting line-up but was withdrawn first in the 64th minute. He played 10 minutes against Montpellier, 13 against Manchester City and 15 against Rennes.

At the same time, he hasn’t scored a goal or an assist so far and his performances are not very bright. “It’s football and I have to learn to fight it. I’m a fighter. I have to stay positive and work to turn it around,” Wijnaldum believes.

Mauricio Pochettino currently favours a Veratti – Gueye centre pairing, with Lionel Messi playing underneath. He also has Ander Herrera, Julian Draxler and Danilo in the centre of midfield.

Wijnaldum must believe that he will break into the starting line-up again after the current national break. He will have his first opportunity on Friday against Angers, then PSG take on Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday.

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