Georginio Wijnaldum

[Roboklopp]

I do mind losing him.

[BigChief]

We need to evolve with quick feet midfielders that have a bit of guile. Hendo and Fab are enough as hard men. The rest need to complement Thiago with one touches. Gini has a horrendous touch for that type of football. Teams have sussed this out.

It's time to move on for him and us. Legend though for what he's achieved here.

[kingfunk]

Yep, I have no problem with him leaving, I can almost be certain that the second we agreed to a 3 year contract for mega money he would drop off form. Time to move on, between this debacle, Salah giving a idiotic interview to Marca (obviously instigated) and the bitters doing a whack job on VvD our season has been derailed. If any player is not 100% committed, whether it be due to money, sunshine or whatever, it should have been made known at the end of last season so we could sell or let go and move on. The importance of togetherness and 100% commitment can’t be understated.

[Mark79]

He’ll be a massive miss. He plays every game. We’d be absolutely ****ed this season without him. Replacing his quality and availability is going to be a huge task.

[Irishnev]

He’ll be a massive miss. He plays every game. We’d be absolutely ****ed this season without him. Replacing his quality and availability is going to be a huge task.

Availability is so underrated + his tactical nous

[Paul12]

He’ll be a massive miss. He plays every game. We’d be absolutely ****ed this season without him. Replacing his quality and availability is going to be a huge task.

I agree. He gives us so much tactical flexibility and intelligence in midfield. There are a few comments now appearing about his touch (allegedly poor) and the incisiveness of his passing (ditto) but we know from his performances for the Netherlands that he can be a goal-scoring/penalty area-penetrating midfielder but that is not the job he is asked to do.

The problem we have is that the midfield has got used to being a defensive shield, a second ball winner and a shunter of the ball outwide - it needs to become, in addition, a goal threat (from outside the area nd by runs into the area - that is what the Ox and Naby were supposed to bring) and creative in the way it interacts directly with the forwards (this is what Thiago is supposed to deliver).

[Exiled_red]

I agree. He gives us so much tactical flexibility and intelligence in midfield. There are a few comments now appearing about his touch (allegedly poor) and the incisiveness of his passing (ditto) but we know from his performances for the Netherlands that he can be a goal-scoring/penalty area-penetrating midfielder but that is not the job he is asked to do.

The problem we have is that the midfield has got used to being a defensive shield, a second ball winner and a shunter of the ball outwide - it needs to become, in addition, a goal threat (from outside the area nd by runs into the area - that is what the Ox and Naby were supposed to bring) and creative in the way it interacts directly with the forwards (this is what Thiago is supposed to deliver).

With the forwards struggling to score and him as a proven goalscoring midfielder given the opportunity is it time to give him a more attacking role to mix things up a bit? With the players we have available after the forwards he seems the most likely to provide a consistent goal threat. Just a thought if we are going to shake things up...

[BobTheCharmer]

This contract situation makes it hard to justify playing him. It would be completely reasonable at the back of his mind to be thinking about not getting an injury. It could cost him his move and a wedge of money. I think the situation has been distracting all season. He's popular in the dressing room and I think it's had an affect.

[danperkins]

Last 5 or 6 games he is unrecognisable

[Tribute]

Last 5 or 6 games he is unrecognisable

...still looks like Gini to me

[danperkins]

...still looks like Gini to me

[BigChief]

...still looks like Gini to me

That's the problem unfortunately.

[baitman]

Hes coasting, saving himself.

[Exiled_red]

IMO it's a bit harsh to say that Gini's downturn in form is due to him not trying/wanting a move/not wanting to get injured etc, other players in the squad have had worse down turns in form this season without the contract/move situation.

[fah-q]

I think also a large part of it is he works best in compacted, compressed midfield where he can shield the **** out of the ball. With us not having Virgil and Gomez playing the high line, our midfield is much more spaced out and it lessens his effectiveness.