Gini Wijnaldum has revealed what Rafa told him when they talked last week about Gini potentially moving to Liverpool, who had just met Newcastle’s price of £25M for the Dutch Player of the Season in 2015, when the 25 year-old successfully captained PSV to the Dutch Championship.
Gini Wijnaldum in pre-season at Newcastle
This is some of what Wijnaldum has told the Liverpool Echo:
“Rafa just said that Liverpool is a big club.”
“The biggest thing he said was that he wanted to keep me for Newcastle.”
“He didn’t want to sell me, but he said that if a great offer came in they would think about it.” “He wanted to keep me there.”
“He didn’t say: ‘You need to go to Liverpool’ because he wanted me to stay at Newcastle.”
Benitez seems good with his players because he tells them the truth – and it seems like what he told Gini will get him respect from both the Liverpool and Newcastle fans.
Of course Rafa is still a hero at Liverpool, after winning the Champions League in 2005 for them and doing so well as the Liverpool manager for six years from 2004, and he is fast becoming a hero on Tyneside.
In fact the Newcastle and Liverpool clubs are very much the same and the fans are very alike.
The only real difference between the clubs is that since 1970 Liverpool have won 11 League One titles, 6 FA Cups, 8 League Cups, 5 Champions Leagues (European Cup) and 3 Europa Leagues (UEFA Cup).
So that’s around 33 trophies and let’s make this short – Newcastle have won nothing.
That’s the only real difference.
🙂 🙂 🙂
We just hope we can get straight back to the Premier League next season and Gini could have helped us do that.
But that’s the collateral damage that comes with being relegated – you lose most of your very best players however much you try to keep them.
Comments welcome.
65 comments so far
SUTTY1978
Jul 25, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Comment #1Repost
18SUTTY1978 // Jul 25, 2016 at 12:55 PM
Jail/Andrew, I agree they would likely throw a spanner in the works if we kept them, I’m talking more about the overall quality of the team though, we have seen before that if you sell your best players and replace them with cheaper inferior players then it causes problems. I’m not really arguing with selling them, it’s the fact that we are not in a position to replace them effectively. If we were still in the premier league we could attract some good players and we do have cash to spend, being in the championship means we have to lower our sights a bit, so we end up with players that were OK in the championship but a bit poor in the premier league.
The one place I think we have strengthened is defence. To never have to see Colo being bamboozled and falling over is a blessing.
I’m not being defeatist by the way, I think there’s every chance we’ll make the play offs.
SUTTY1978
Jul 25, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Comment #2Good discussion this morning by the way, that’s about three articles full of only football related comments!
ToonRich
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Comment #3Repost
@ Spoof and jayphoto… Hayden for me looks a complete player and could easily be a step up from Tiote, that’s assuming Rafa bought him for that role!
Jay – “Gamez rarely crosses the halfway line as a player unless its to take a throw in!”
Are you serious?…he makes numerous forward runs as he did at Doncaster. It’s one of his assest getting forward and overlapping to the byline!
Wayayman
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:01 PM
Comment #4Not sure on this Pritchard lad. Not seen anything of him to think that he’s anything more than an average player who is more expensive because he’s a Brit.
I do think Rafa MUST have something up his sleeve though. We all know we need fullbacks and we definitely need a creative MF’er so I’m sure he’s got something lined up.
Belfast
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Comment #5Belfast // Jul 25, 2016 at 1:01 PM
There’s absolutely no point whatsoever of keeping a player who wants to leave. Any player who’s going to play week in week out in this division needs to be 100% committed to the cause and willing to graft for it.
Think we done very well to get that fee for the Dutch bloke considering he was useless away form home and if we get the fee that’s talked about for Sissoko we should be over the moon.
I’ll be glad to see the back of the both of them to be honest.
Belfast
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:06 PM
Comment #6Quite confident they’ll be rightly replaced now though which is very unusual lol
Mr Funk
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:13 PM
Comment #7I am sure Sissoko will leave ut i do wonder how much for. Maybe once Pogba has moved there will be some developments.
I think Krul, Thauvin and Tiote could still move on. Not too sure anyone else will leave.
The next two players NUFC should buy are Charlie Taylor (LB) and Alex Pritchard (AMC). I think they would be good additions to the squad, especially in areas where we could do with more players.
Belfast
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:15 PM
Comment #8Wouldn’t have paid the fee for McCormack a few week ago like, but now that we’ve sold the dutch bloke and very likely to sell Sissoko I wouldn’t complain if we paid it now.
Could do with a good attacking midfielder though.
Rotonda heights
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:18 PM
Comment #9surely sissoko has to submitt a transfer request. he’s bleated on for so long about leaving and it’s not like he won’t make a few bob signing on at wherever.
Though I do remember barton wanting a pay off from city and a signing on fee from us. Nice work if you can get it.
Rotonda heights
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:19 PM
Comment #10yes i thought gamez got forward a lot
manxpie
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:22 PM
Comment #11Colback Def mid 14/15 season 4 goals 7 assists
the mighty real Madrid bound sisko att mid same season 4 goals 2 assists in more games as well
same number of goals each last season too 1!
If I was real I’d be going for the ginger pirlo instead
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:23 PM
Comment #12Belfast
players who want to leave but are forced to stay can still do well, very well, look at Cabaye for us, Bale at Spurs, Ronaldo at Man U and De Gea was hardly a problem for Man U last season, at times it can make them play better and seeing how Sissoko performed for Rafa then for me I would rather see him forced to stay, yes £35m is a lot of money but the Sissoko who played for France and the Sissoko who played for Rafa is in today’s market worth that amount.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Comment #13Gamez is pretty much a standard Spanish FB. Lokes to get forward, but keeps on top of his defensive duties, too. Looking forward to seeing him outclass opposition players.
LGFUAD21
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:27 PM
Comment #14We got decent money for a player that, while talented just didnt do it for us.
I was excited by last summers signings but we lacked steel.
Townsend leaving is the one that makes me sad. He was good last season. We desperately need some more wingers as Matt Richie is the only one we have that I can put faith in.
Aarons has talent but never stays fit.
Thauvin is an unknown – Clearly talented but will he settle and handle the physicality.
Gayle – Can do a job but probably a bit wasted out on the wing.
Gouffran – Really depends on whether Rafa can beat Pardew’s lessons out of him.
I’ve said it many times but why arent we going after Tom Ince – He’s got a great record in the Championship and I reckon he’ll be ready for the Prem after another season.
Also, as others have said, we should raid Hull for Robertson. What a talent he is.
ToonRich
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:32 PM
Comment #15LGFUAD21, I’ve only watched Robertson (and Hanley) for Scotland…both in the last couple of years have been good. Hanley has been strong againast the likes of the Germans, Italians, Poles in recent internationals. Robertson may not be a solid defender but is fast, likes to get forward and Mitro would thrive on his deliveries
manxpie
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:36 PM
Comment #16Spoof hardly the same when we are playing a league below let alone champions league and on wages of over 100 grand a week
Ian Toon
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:41 PM
Comment #17Pritchard had a year out with a broken leg – season before last. Last season out on loan was used infrequently. There were high expectations from those in the know at Spurs as to his talent. I imagine there will be quite a few interested in him.
Somebody earlier described his style of play with Eden Hazard. He’s certainly comfortable on the ball and we need someone to open up defences and go past people. We could invest time and money in him for good reward. We’ve lost and are likely to lose just the same sort of player. Spurs are not prepared to wait for him to perform at his optimum level as Pochettino has other options readily avilable.
NUFCPaul
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:46 PM
Comment #18Spoof – how can you compare Cabaye, Bale, Ronaldo and De Gea not wanting to stay at their respective clubs to Sissoko not wanting to stay with us this season? None of their clubs were relegated and some of them were even still playing in Europe. It’s apples and oranges.
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:47 PM
Comment #19Ian
I think Pritchard was out up until Christmas last season as well, ankle injury I think it was, not a great injury record !
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Comment #20Paul
It’s easy to compare, if a player wants to leave but the club don’t allow it then he stays, I don’t see how a comparison cannot be made as non of the players wanted to be playing where they were.
NUFCPaul
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Comment #21Spoof – Sissoko couldn’t be arsed playing in the Premier League against the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. Do you seriously think he’s going to suddenly be up for playing against Championship teams on a rainy Wednesday night in front of less than 10k-15k supporters? And I doubt he’s going to be a ray of sunshine around the dressing room and training ground too. He’s the last person we need when it comes to effort, commitment, morale and team bonding in this lower league.
NUFCPaul
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:55 PM
Comment #22Spoof – so you think a player wouldn’t be more motivated playing Man Utd in front of 60k supporters on a possibly televised game versus regularly playing in much smaller grounds against much less glamorous teams? Do you seriously believe that?
Ian Toon
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:55 PM
Comment #23Spoof- That would be my only real concern.
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:57 PM
Comment #24Paul
that is the managers job, it’s the manager who has to motivate them, but what often happens is that the player really knuckles down and plays well to try to give him more appeal for the next window, I don’t know what your views on Cabaye were but for me he was at his best just after we refused to allow him to go to Arsenal, that extra half season we got for me was his best, who’s to say that the same thing won’t happen to Sissoko because if we can get it into his head that he has got to really perform and perform well to get out then you never know, that may just be the kick up the backside that he needs.
Ian Toon
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:59 PM
Comment #25Spoof- There are various inducements to get players to stay and not all financial. A promise and understanding from Benitez is to be respected. I hope you’ve noticed the harmony to date on the blog and drawn your own conclusions.
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Comment #26Paul
If he can’t be arsed to play against the Man U’s of this world then why does he want to go to Arsenal, that doesn’t add up mate.
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:04 PM
Comment #27@25
“I hope you’ve noticed the harmony to date on the blog and drawn your own conclusions.”
What do you mean by that, I don’t know what your implying there ?
welshgeordie9
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:05 PM
Comment #28Will we get a forward and a winger in before championship or are we going to fanny about until the end of August to get them in.
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #29welsh
I’m not sure that we need a forward, seeing as Rafa prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation he will usually only play one striker and with Gayle, Mitrovic, Perez and Armstrong that leaves us with 4 already, 5 if we can’t move Riviere on so I am not expecting another forward.
welshgeordie9
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:19 PM
Comment #30Spoof
If no one else leave, where do you think we need to strengthen.
welshgeordie9
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Comment #31The way i see it, we have got enough defenders, our midfield is strong, think need we need another winger there, you probably right up front as Benitez only uses one.
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:24 PM
Comment #32welsh
we desperately need wingers/attacking midfielders, Sissoko will leave so that will be Sissoko, Gini and Townsend gone with only Ritchie to replace them, so that is the area which I think is the weakest.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:27 PM
Comment #33Spoof,
In general I’d agree about want away players putting in good performances, but if Sissoko’s agent is to be believed the club had given him that assurance of leaving last summer, and he still half arsed his way through the season. I’ve said a few times that Cabaye put in the performances which earned him a move. Sissoko hasn’t done that for us.
southeast magpie
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:31 PM
Comment #34Repost
@Wayayman thanks for the info ?
Personally I think will be a shame to get rid of Sissoko. Yes hes kicking up a stink about leaving, but hasn’t he done that since he came here? Mismanaged by several previous managers, finally Rafa gets him into form. Plays so much better when hes made captain. He would be such a force in the championship.
NUFCPaul
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:31 PM
Comment #35I think he wants to go to Arsenal because they play a nice style of football, have a well respected French manager and play in the Champions League every season. And they’re based in London, which is also attractive to some players. Again, it’s apples and oranges but I guess we’ll just have to happily agree to disagree on Sissoko.
southeast magpie
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:32 PM
Comment #36@Wayayman thanks for the info.
Personally I think will be a shame to get rid of Sissoko. Yes hes kicking up a stink about leaving, but hasn’t he done that since he came here? Mismanaged by several previous managers, finally Rafa gets him into form. Plays so much better when hes made captain. He would be such a force in the championship.
WWSBRD
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:32 PM
Comment #37At the minute we have Thuavin, Ritchie. Sissoko, Aarons, Perez, Sammy, de Jong and Goofy who all play in that 3 behind the striker plus all the talk that Gini will be replaced…think the club may be looking to move some players on before bringing more in
southeast magpie
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:34 PM
Comment #38@ WWSBRD
I think out of that list only Goofy and de Jong are likely to go. Still hoping for the elusive left back.
WWSBRD
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:36 PM
Comment #39southeast
Not Sissoko and Thauvin? I think we will be stuck with both de Jong and Goofy because we pay them too well
Spoof
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Comment #40LG
Generally speaking he hasn’t, but as has been mentioned a few times it’s a fresh start for all under Rafa, now Shelvey, Perez and Gini so far under Rafa have gone backwards, Gini is off and hopefully a pre-season will see Shelvey and Perez respond, but Townsend possibly hit the best form of his club career, but he is also away, Lascelles was a nobody who was overlooked but now he is the fans favourite and the fans want him to be captain, but that has came off the back of half a dozen decent games but there is a belief that he can perform under Rafa, it’s amazing how different players react to different managers, now taking that into consideration which we have too in fairness, based on his time with Rafa would you like to have that Sissoko, not the Sissoko who Carver, Pardew and McClaren played on the right of midfield but the Sissoko who Rafa played through the middle ( which is where Sissoko has always stated is his preferred position ), because I tell you what, I would love to have that Sissoko in my side, and if he isn’t happy about it tough, he either knuckles down and performs or he just wastes away and if he does the latter then he will never achieve what he feels he is capable of achieving.
As for agent claims, well, can they really be trusted, you are right by the way, he hasn’t earned that move, so I suggest that we don’t give it him and tell him to earn it, I’m sure you can see where I’m coming from and it is a difficult one to call, it all comes down to Sissoko’s reaction if he is forced to stay and on that note none of us really know him as a person so I expect that we will have to trust Rafa’s judgment on this one.