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Tag: Depay

  • Xavi issues strong warning to Memphis Depay

    Xavi issues strong warning to Memphis Depay

    Barcelona coach Xavi has warned Memphis Depay he faces a battle for his place ahead of their Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Real Madrid.

    With Ansu and Ferran only just coming back from injuries, Memphis is one of the attackers likely to fill the three spots after returning from an injury of his own against Granada at the weekend, but Xavi left some doubts about that in his press conference on Tuesday.

    “He’s as important as the rest,” Xavi said. “At the end of the day, (the team is picked) on merit. There’s a lot of competition. Luckily, we have a squad with a lot of the first team available now and the competition starts for everyone.”

    The coach insisted that there is no hierarchy in that sense: “It’s a meritocracy and those that earn it will play. That’s how it’s always been for me. The best player will play regardless of their name. That way things will go well.”

  • Memphis Depay better on Instagram than on pitch – Wagner

    Memphis Depay better on Instagram than on pitch – Wagner

    Former Bayern Munich striker Sandro Wagner has slammed Barcelona ace Memphis Depay.

    After watching him in Barca’s Champions League defeat at Bayern, Wagner let ripped at the Dutchman.

    Depay sent 44 passes against Bayern and only managed to win 27 percent of his duels against the German record champion.

    “That is far too little if you want to be the number one striker at Barca,” Wagner said critically. “A duel percentage of 27 percent is a monstrosity. Depay is currently stronger on Instagram than on the field.”

    The body language of the 27-year-old Dutchman is also not appealing to Wagner.

    “You can do something about that attitude, that negative, that waving and acting like you’re really cool. I don’t like that about him.”

  • UCL: Barca, Bayern clash all or nothing – Memphis Depay

    UCL: Barca, Bayern clash all or nothing – Memphis Depay

    Barcelona striker Memphis Depay admits he needs to deliver against Champions League opponents Bayern Munich.

    Depay is yet to score for Barcelona in the Champions League since signing in summer and will look to get off the mark in the final group game against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

    If Barcelona are defeated in Munich and third-placed Benfica win against Dynamo Kiev then the Blaugrana will be knocked out of Europe’s premier club competition at the group stage.

    “It’s our last chance to progress to the knock-outs, it’s like a final,” Memphis told Barcelona’s official website.

    “We have to mentally prepare ourselves to give our all and get the result.”

  • La Liga: Depay secures Barca victory against Getafe

    La Liga: Depay secures Barca victory against Getafe

    Memphis Depay scored Barcelona’s winner as they beat Getafe in La Liga.

    Sergi Roberto slid home the hosts’ opener from Jordi Alba’s cross after only 99 seconds.

    Sandro levelled for Getafe after a one-two with Carles Alena, both former Barcelona players.

    But Depay showed good skill from Frenkie de Jong’s pass before rifling into the bottom corner after half an hour for the winner in front of about 26,000 fans.

    It was the first La Liga goal scored and assisted by a Dutch player since 2009.

    Barcelona – who brought on 17-year-old Gavi for a second-half debut – remain unbeaten on seven points from three games. Getafe have lost all their matches.

    There was a return from injury for Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who missed the opening two weeks after knee surgery.

    Ronald Koeman’s Barca were far from convincing but could have won by more, with Ronald Araujo having a goal ruled out for offside and Depay volleying over.

  • Mourinho never considered playing me at Man Utd – Depay

    Mourinho never considered playing me at Man Utd – Depay

    Barcelona striker Memphis Depay says he was forced out of Manchester United.

    Depay has revealed what pushed him over the edge during his time in England.

    He told El Periodico: “I’ve thought a lot about why it went wrong. The first season I had to adapt and it didn’t go well compared to my time at PSV.

    “I lost a bit of confidence and I lost the confidence of [Louis] Van Gaal and his staff.

    “It was hard for me. The following season I felt like I had more experience, but they changed the coach.

    “Jose Mourinho came and I fought to get into the team but I think the idea of giving me a chance was never in his head. He never gave me an opportunity. Never.

    “I went to his office but it changed nothing. It was a very difficult period, I felt that I was training well and the players themselves did not understand it.

    “[Paul] Pogba and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] told me: ‘Why don’t you ever play?’ For me that was the confirmation that I had no chance. And I realised that I didn’t want to be in a big club without playing.”

  • I couldn’t even say ‘hello’ to Messi – Depay

    I couldn’t even say ‘hello’ to Messi – Depay

    Memphis Depay admits he’s frustrated seeing Lionel Messi leave just as he was joining Barcelona.

    Depay says he’d have liked to have been able to play with the PSG signing.

    “Maybe we will meet in a match someday,” lamented Depay. “Or maybe when he comes back? You never know. I couldn’t even say ‘hello’ to Messi.

    “He would come later because of the battle for the Copa America. And then there was that whole situation. I didn’t even have the chance to meet him.”

    On Barca coach Ronald Koeman, Depay continued: “I know what he wants from me.

    “I know what to do. There is chemistry between us and that is important. For me it is very important that clarity is given. I am a player who can create something out of nothing and needs the freedom to do that. You have to be free, free of mind.”

  • Messi, Aguero and I can play in same Barca attack – Depay

    Messi, Aguero and I can play in same Barca attack – Depay

    Memphis Depay is counting on Lionel Messi signing a new contract with Barcelona.

    Speaking with Sport, Memphis made clear he was counting on Messi staying this season.

    He said: “Playing with Messi would be incredible. I hope it is possible. He has qualities that the team needs and it is important that we build something around him. This squad houses a lot of talent.”

    Depay thinks an attacking trio with Messi and Sergio Aguero is a realistic option.

    “There are a lot of attackers in the squad, but in my opinion we are different. I have my qualities and strengths and they differ from, say, Aguero, or any player for that matter. I think all three of us can play together, but let’s see how things go.”

    Memphis also spoke of his relationship with coach Ronald Koeman.

    He stated: “He was very important to me in important years of my career. He made a change at the Dutch national team, counted on me and gave me confidence. And now he counts on me in this adventure. With Koeman it is easier for me to adapt. I know what he expects of me, we’ve been working together for years. But even then I will have to give everything, it will not be easy. Without Koeman it would have been different anyway.”

  • Barca still can’t register Aguero and Depay – Riesco

    Barca still can’t register Aguero and Depay – Riesco

    Former Rayo Vallecano star and now pundit Pedro Riesco has questioned Barcelona’s transfer policy.

    Riesco has expressed his surprise about Joan Laporta’s calm reactions when asked about Lionel Messi’s future and contract renewal with Barcelona.

    The Argentina captain’s contract with Barcelona expired on July 1 and the Blaugrana have yet to announce its potential renewal, mainly due to the club’s financial struggles and their obligation to follow LaLiga’s fair play rules.

    “I am surprised by the calmness with which Laporta talks about Messi, as if Messi were still a Barcelona player,” Riesco told Radio MARCA.

    “For me the most serious thing that is happening to Barcelona is that they can’t register the players they have signed, [Sergio] Aguero, [Memphis] Depay…”