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Ronald Koeman does not deny that he wanted Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to join him in Barcelona last summer. The Dutchman had been linked to a transfer to the Camp Nou to work with his former international coach.
Wijnaldum, along with his compatriot Memphis Depay, had been a target for the Catalans although they could not get or sign over the line: [Wijnaldum] it was on my list, “Koeman admitted to NOS.
Lyon’s Memphis Depay came close to completing a move to the end of the market, and Koeman was never ashamed of his desire to bring more Dutch players to the club. “We hope to have a second Dutchman in the team,” said Koeman, with Frenkie de Jong being the first to work with him.
However, the coach ruled out that Barcelona were dominated by Dutch players, dismissing a suggestion that he could follow what Louis van Gaal had done at the Camp Nou. “That was extreme,” Koeman said. “There were eight or nine then. Now we have De Jong and then Alfred Schreuder on the coaching staff with me.”
Messi’s attitude
Lionel Messi was a problem for Koeman upon his arrival in Catalonia, but the new manager is happy to now work with the captain. “I spoke to him when I signed on as coach,” Koeman explained. “I already knew about his discontent but in the end everything worked out. He has done everything I expect of him since he said he would continue [at the club]. “
Another difficult situation that the coach had to face was the departure of Luis Suárez. “I never had a problem with him,” Koeman said, denying a sequel. “The club thought that we had to refresh the team and it is seen that with the group we have players like Ansu Fati, Trincao, Pedri and [Ronald] Araujo. “
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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