Depay Can Not Be Like Messi Or Ronaldo – Van Gaal

Forum 3 years ago

Depay Can Not Be Like Messi Or Ronaldo – Van Gaal

Memphis Depay has plenty of talent but he’s not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, says Louis Van Gaal, who is not certain that the Barcelona target would adapt to life at Camp Nou.

Depay has managed to rebuild his damaged reputation at the highest level since leaving Manchester United to join Lyon in the summer of 2017.

The Red Devils forked out £31 million (€34m/$40m) to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford from PSV two years prior, but he only managed to score seven goals in 53 appearances for the club and failed to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI.

The 26-year-old has rediscovered his best form at the Groupama Stadium, recording 57 goals and 43 assists in 139 outings to help Lyon fight for the Ligue 1 title and success in the Champions League.

Depay’s goals helped Rudi Garcia’s men reach the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition last season and he is now being sounded out for a potential switch to La Liga.

Van Gaal, the man who lured Depay to Manchester back in 2015, has questioned whether the Dutchman is ready to step up to another level at Barca, having seen him struggle to live up to expectations at the Theatre of Dreams.

The ex-United and Netherlands head coach told TuttoMercatoWeb:

“There’s always a question mark.

Depay is an interesting player, especially when he’s free to play, but we have to consider adapting to a new culture and a new team, and the first year is always the hardest. Look at [Matthijs] De Ligt or Frenkie de Jong.

“Depay has talent, but he’s not Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.”