Honestly, I was one of those who gave up the career of Memphis Depay after his failure at Manchester United. But I must admit that I could not be more wrong, because today Memphis Depay is more alive than ever. I dare say he is one of the most fit players in football today.
Remember that the Dutchman broke into the world football scene after having a great World Cup in Brazil 2014, being the great surprise in the lineup of the Netherlands by Louis van Gaal that reached the semifinals of that World Cup. I remember how that boy of just 20 years unbalanced the rival defenses and put himself in the mouth of all the big clubs in Europe. I was one of those who drool when I saw him play and immediately asked for his signing for my Real Madrid. The future seemed unbeatable for Memphis.
After remaining another season at PSV he decided that going to Manchester United with van Gaal as coach would be the best option. He could not have been more wrong. After two exciting games, everything fell apart for Depay in England. He could never find his best version and ended up being a very disappointing signing, which never yielded what was expected of him. In retrospect I must admit that Depay had the bad luck to play at the worst Manchester United of the post-Ferguson era.
At that point believe me Memphis had died as a footballer and considered his sale to Lyon in January 2017 as the final sentence, going to a minor league in a second level team. However, Depay has taken Ligue 1 as his personal revenge and has shown the world that he can be that first level player who promised to be 4 years ago.
The reality is that Depay has shown all its quality since his arrival in Lyon and has completely turned around this team that was adrift before his arrival. The Dutchman arrived in January 2017 at the Gallic club and after 6 months of adaptation he started the 2017-2018 season ready to eat the world ... and he did.
And it is that last season Memphis Depay broke it all in Ligue 1 by scoring 24 goals and distributing 18 assists, catapulting Lyon to be runner-up of the tournament, only behind the almighty PSG. But beyond its impressive numbers, the influence of Depay goes much further. He has become the true football and emotional leader of the team. Such has been the impact of Lyon in Depay's career that he decided to tattoo an immense lion on his back, one of the symbols of the team. Now if we can say that his transformation to become Lyon King is complete, he has a whole city at his feet.
Excuse me if I come up, but the truth is that Memphis Depay is a player with impressive quality. Not only does he have a great scoring ability, but he has an easy dribble that if you give him space he is able to break the defender's waist in a quick change of direction. He is also the possessor of a dreamlike punch, which makes him a danger in the free kicks and mid-distance shots.
But one of the things I admire most about the Dutchman is his character, his personality. This is a player who never gives up and his career proves it. In addition to that just seeing him on the pitch gives you courage. And the best thing is that the protagonism does not weigh on him, rather it motivates and it pleases. He is not afraid to be the star of the team nor to throw it on his shoulder in difficult moments, the truth is that Memphis is a football player made for great moments.
And so he has shown with Lyon and especially now with the Netherlands National Team. And is that Ronald Koeman (current Netherlands coach) hit completely by giving the football leadership of this new team to Memphis Depay, who feels like a fish in the water with the new role he plays in the Oranje. The '10' shirt that he wears on his back seems to give him a plus that motivates him to show all he has to give when he defends the colors of his country. And in the UEFA Nations League has not disappointed to sign super performances and, as a result, to be about to take his team to the Final Four of the competition. An entire country is entrusted to Memphis Depay as the leader and inspiration of a new Dutch generation.
Meanwhile in France continues to make disasters. Although Lyon have not had the best start to the season, Depay has managed to pull the car and score 5 goals so far this season, always with outstanding performances. And we must remember that he is barely 24 years old, he is just entering the best moment of his career.
When I see Depay, I see a very similar player to Cristiano Ronaldo. Not only from the playstyle; but from the character, the impetus, the football leadership, that constant desire to always be the best and never give up. All this without mentioning the impressive physique he has. Analyzing it better, it's a shame that Depay's coach at United was Van Gaal and not Sir Alex Ferguson, because I'm sure the Scotsman could have taken the best out of him and taken him to stardom as he did with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Honestly, France's Ligue 1 is too small for Memphis Depay. Moreover, I can state categorically that he has become the most determined player in the French league in 2018, above Neymar, Cavani or Mbappé; and the numbers of goals and assists confirm this. The Dutchman has shown that he is a top-level footballer who is capable of achieving great things if he is well surrounded. I am convinced that Depay has the hours counted in Lyon, because it is the kind of footballer that any great club would give to have in its staff.
He still has 6 months of season to reaffirm all his talent and show that he has resurfaced from his ashes, like the Phoenix Bird. The reality is that any great club that knows something about football must have between eyebrow to Memphis Depay and have reserved the more than 70 million euros that Lyon will ask for it next summer. And if it were to classify Netherlands to the UEFA Nations League Final Four and come to win champions with a Depay star, do not be surprised that Memphis ends up dressed in merengue next season.
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