Georginio Wijnaldum experiencing adjustment problems at Paris Saint-Germain. The thirty-year-old midfielder came over from Liverpool transfer-free in the summer and immediately conquered a starting place, but has no longer been assured of that in recent weeks. At the press conference prior to Wednesday’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig, Wijnaldum says that he has to get used to the game of his new team. The same applies to Lionel Messi, the the Dutch international thinks.
Wijnaldum participated 83 minutes in the won home game against Lille OSC (2-1) on Friday. In the six games before that, he was left out of the starting eleven by coach Mauricio Pochettino. Wijnaldum has to fight for his place, while he was an undisputed base customer in Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool. “The playing style is different,” he says when asked about the difference between the two teams. “Our squad at Liverpool had been formed five years ago and had its own identity. I played mainly in a defensive role, but there are frequent changes of position here. It is our first season together. I still have to adapt and get used to it. “
Wijnaldum notices that there is still a lot to gain when it comes to coordination with his teammates. “The most important thing is to get to know my teammates. I’ve never played with them before,” he explains. “We use the training sessions to get to know each other. It’s a new start for me, everything is new. The trainer wants to give us a free role in matches and wants us to switch positions. I have to get used to that. a team with many habits. I have to learn how my teammates play and how they think.”
Not only Wijnaldum has to get used to the star ensemble. Messi is also unable to live up to expectations for the time being. After five appearances in Ligue 1, the summer signing has not yet been involved in a goal, although he did score in the Champions League game against Manchester City (2-0) and RB Leipzig (3-2, two goals). “Every team gets stronger with Messi. But the same applies to him as to me,” Wijnaldum says. “He is new to the club and has to get used to it. I hope the difference for us is not too big between matches with and without Messi. But when you have him in the team, you are always stronger.”
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