Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has claimed that his Netherlands team mate Frenkie De Jong that he should remain at Ajax for now.
Tottenham have been heavily linked with the 21-year-old of late, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that a £45million offer for the player has been rejected rejected.
But Wijnaldum, on a reported £90,000-per-week at Anfield [Source: Spotrac] believes such a move would be a mistake.
“He is doing very well now, but we have often had Dutch players who first played very well, but later became less,” he told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf. “Often it is said: he can do this and that he can become so good. Frenkie is 21 years old, anything can happen.
“Maybe he also gets a lesser period if he switches abroad, you also have to look at how that will work out. For now it is good. We hope as a team and actually as the whole of the Netherlands that he will continue to develop.”
OPINION
Wijnaldum’s warnings do ring true. We have seen many Dutch exports come to the Premier League with big reputations and fail to deliver. On the other hand, there have been those who have gone on to be incredibly successful. It’s a real toss up. For every Dennis Bergkamp and Jan Vertonghen there’s a Memphis Depay and Vincent Janssen; you never know what you’re going to get. Tottenham have a good team with an excellent manager, so perhaps they would be a good move for De Jong. Wijnaldum, however, seems to think that he’s better off staying where he is for a few years yet. The midfielder is just 21 years of age after all, he still has plenty of time to develop. The extra years playing in Holland would likely aid his growth as a player and ensure that he is ready for a big move abroad when the time comes. Wijnaldum knows what he is talking about. He could’ve moved abroad at an earlier age but instead waited until he was 24. Now he’s at one of the biggest clubs in the world. De Jong, take note.
