Why Gregory Van Der Wiel Is of Huge Importance to PSG

Earlier this week, during Paris Saint-Germain’s all-important Champions League meetup with group rivals Barcelona, right-back Gregory van der Wiel received the ball on the right flank of the pitch.

In previous matches this season, as well as last, Van der Wiel had regularly linked up with PSG’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With the Swedish striker scoring one goal after the other, it’s now impossible to recount how many Van der Wiel crosses the Swedish striker converted.

The fact that the injured Zlatan wasn’t there against Barcelona, however, didn’t seem to matter. At the far post, midfielder Blaise Matuidi appeared, almost effortlessly converting the pin-point cross delivered by the in-form Van der Wiel. 

The score was now 3-1. It started to look like Paris Saint-Germain were really going to beat the great Barcelona.

Taking a look at the stats, it becomes apparent Van der Wiel’s important contribution wasn’t a mere coincidence. He’s been very important to Paris Saint-Germain’s efforts before.

As per Squawka, Van der Wiel created a total of 17 chances in the French Ligue 1 during the 2013-14 season. Four of those were assists; 13 were classified as key passes. 

But while his record is not bad at all, Van der Wiel stands a very good chance of improving on it this season. 

"

Back in the ArenA, brings up good memories! #Ajax #Psg #CL http://t.co/KPapKDsiQz

— Gregory van der Wiel (@Gvanderwiel) September 16, 2014"

After arriving at the club in 2012, for a long time he had to battle it out with fellow right-back Christophe Jallet—who had been at the club for a relatively long time. But while it would have been fair to expect Van der Wiel to win this battle, it didn’t go very easily. 

During the World Cup in 2010, Gregory van der Wiel seemed like one of the most talented young full-backs in the world. Quick, intelligent and a real attacking threat, the former Ajax man was constitutive to the Netherlands success at the tournament. 

But in Paris, things were more difficult. As if the competition provided by Jallet somehow intimidated him, Van der Wiel lost the form he had displayed playing for his country in South Africa.

It’s almost as if Van der Wiel needed two whole years to become a fully grown and matured player. After all, he was only 24 when he arrived at PSG. All he really knew was the Dutch Eredivisie. The World Cup had been an amazing but one-off experience.

All the more admirable, then, that Van der Wiel has become what he is today. Having traversed a path full of challenges, he has managed to reach the level of football he displayed last year. 

This week’s assist for Matuidi’s Champions League goal against Barcelona was a nice little reward for that.

"

48h avant le retour de @Gvanderwiel en @Ligue1 ! #AreYouReady pic.twitter.com/JM1XhS4DZf

— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) August 6, 2014"

In the modern game, the role of full-backs is essential. Tasked with providing width so that the attacking wide players can move inside, they need to be able to switch between the role of defender and that of attacker.

Paris Saint-Germain have bought more than a couple of highly rated star players these past few years, and for a couple of positions, they might be in the market for more soon.

But they already have a quality right-back. For that at least, they won’t have to splash the cash.