Newcastle Star Makes Position Plea To Steve McClaren

By Chris Waugh / July 29, 2015

Georginio Wijnaldum insists his "natural position" is as a No 10 - and has encouraged Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren to play him there going forward. The £14.5 million summer signing from PSV Eindhoven has scored twice in as many starts for the Magpies in pre-season and has introduced himself to the Toon faithful in perfect fashion. However, Wijnaldum has warned both McClaren and Newcastle supporters that, should he be played out on the wing he could do a decent job there, but that is not his "his position" where he can make a real impact.

Quoted in The Northern Echo, Wijnaldum said:

"That is my natural position. In Holland, I spent a bit of time playing as a winger, but that is not my best position. "If you want to use my qualities the best, then I must play in the midfield in a position where I can make goals because that is a major quality of mine - I can make goals, and I can create chances. "I can create more chances in the middle of midfield than if I play on the right side of midfield. That's why I feel more comfortable playing there. "Another quality of mine is to run into open spaces and create chances - that's how I created a lot of chances last year."

Wijnaldum appears to have settled in well at Newcastle - and that has probably been helped by the presence of four other Dutchmen in the Magpies' squad. Goalkeeper Tim Krul, right-back Daryl Janmaat, defensive-midfielder Vurnon Anita and attacking-midfielder Siem de Jong complete United's Dutch contingent, and that has served Wijnaldum well. Can he continue that form going forward? He'll certainly try to - if McClaren keeps playing him in the right position too... For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.