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Opinion

Ronald De Boer says don’t believe the hype on Wijnaldum

9 years ago
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Ronald de Boer has said that Newcastle fans are getting too carried away with the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum and that he will struggle to meet their ‘lofty expectations’.

The brother of Ajax Manager Frank, de Boer says that whilst the new signing is ‘an excellent team player’, he still relies on getting a lot of chances to score.

His most extreme comment though is that he claims too much pressure is being put on the former PSV attacking midfielder, because Newcastle fans are carrying on as though he will single-handedly transform United into Premier League title challengers.

I have some friends who are capable of getting very drunk, but  I still haven’t heard even them claim anything close to this.

As ever, people on the outside easily fall into the trap of mistaking the enthusiasm of Newcastle fans for expectation of something happening.

After no transfers at all in three of the last four transfer windows and then a very mixed bag from last summer’s activity, is it any wonder that Newcastle fans are jubilant when they sign a player of  Georginio Wijnaldum’s quality and profile. A player who it was assumed would end up at a club playing Champions League football next season.

Player of the year in Holland last season, the fact that Wijnaldum led his teammates to a season of absolutely smashing an Ajax team led by Ronald de Boer’s brother will no doubt have played a part in this petty reaction to the player’s move.

PSV wrapped up the Dutch title by April and eventually finished a massive 17 points ahead of Ajax.

Ronal de Boer speaking to (writing for) Voetbal International in Holland:

“In Newcastle, Wijnaldum is being hailed as a great saviour. Georginio is a great football player, but not the type that guides a mid-table English club to the championship, and that is the atmosphere which is being created in Newcastle.

“Wijnaldum is an excellent team player, but for example, he still needs a lot of chances to score.

“In England this is conveniently ignored. With the current hype in Newcastle it will be difficult for Wijnaldum to meet the lofty expectations.”

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