Top 5 Dutch Footballers of the last decade (2010-2019)

Modified Dec 26, 2019 11:12 GMT

#3 Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)

One of the most underrated footballers of recent times, Georginio Wijnaldum has been a revelation since joining Liverpool in 2016. Under the masterful guidance of Jurgen Klopp, the Dutchman blossomed into a fantastic midfielder and one of the stalwarts of the current Liverpool side. He was crucial for the Reds in their UEFA Champions League winning run last season and continues to be an important member of Klopp’s team this year.

The Dutchman started his career at Sparta Rotterdam and showed great promise even at a tender age. He was associated with the club's youth team for 7 seasons, before he joined Feyenoord. At the Stadium Club, Wijnaldum was a standout performer for the youth team and came to the attention of the first team manager Erwin Koeman. Subsequently, the Dutchman became the youngest player to play for the club in 2007.

After 5 seasons with the Feyenoord first team, Wijnaldum joined PSV Eindhoven at the beginning of the 2011/12 season. He spent 4 seasons at the club, scoring 54 goals from 154 games and ventured into the Premier League in the summer of 2015, to join Newcastle United. He managed 11 goals from 40 appearances for the Magpies, but could not save them from relegation. Klopp ultimately picked up the Dutchman in the summer of 2016 and Wijnaldum has not looked back since.

Playing Style: Under Klopp, Wijnaldum has added a defensive responsibility to his attacking instincts. The Dutchman is very good at implementing Klopp’s pressing tactics and likes to make intelligent runs into the box. He is a box to box midfielder who is strong, tactically aware and very mobile on the pitch.

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Edited by A. Ayush Chatterjee