Re: Memphis Depay

by Casciavit Mon Jun 28, 2021 7:00 am

The Franchise wrote:
Casciavit wrote:Depay is a weird one.

When he was younger he was a winger who tried doing his own CR impression. After he moved to Lyon he bulked up and was mostly playing in a front two. Under Koeman he was leading the line and I think he was playing as a sole CF this year for Lyon as well (need to check).

He likes the ball at his feet and dropping into the left half space. His 1v1 dribbling is eh. He's still a much better ball carrier than Griezmann though. I recall a lot of his goals coming from either set pieces or shots from the edge of the box. I watched his goals this season and he had a fair few ugly goals (tap ins etc), which is reassuring.

It'll be interesting to see how he does. I didn't think he was Barca quality. More of an Arsenal-level player. I'm curious to see how he adapts. Barca have needed a runner from the left since Neymar left, but it seems like Memphis is more of a 9 or 9.5 these days.

Fati is the best choice on the LW right now, based on dynamics, but who knows how he recovers from his meniscus injury that injury ruined Mendy. There's also the CF position up for grabs. Griezmann is meh there, Aguero is old and never actually played well with Messi in Argentina. Then there's Depay who is similar to Griezmann in that he wants the ball to his feet, but unlike Griezmann I think Depay has the physical qualities to adapt better. Also, the fact all three of them are short could be another issue too. Man this team is awfully managed.

He does want the ball to feet, but I am seeing some encouraging signs of movement without the ball. He seems more than willing to make runs behind the defence in those quick combination moments and seems to have good timing. He also seems to have maximum confidence, I dont expect this Greizmann issue of him scoring 5 games in a row to then go 8 without a goal. I sense Depay will do very well or be absolutely hopeless with no in between

Defensively, im curious. He clearly has no responsibility to get behind the ball. He is firmly part of the first line. Unfortunately, so is Messi and so would be Aguero. Depay will have to adapt to this and I dont know what that looks like, especially as he is 100% a better quick transition player than Aguero. Doesnt make sense to have Depay but limit his ability to be part of direct transitions.

Depay is definitely arrogant. I remember Juninho complaining about him last month. He was saying Depay wants the team built around him like he's a Messi or Ronaldo, and he would complain about certain players not starting. Juninho also bitched about him not pressing and said he wasn't that level of player to justify that treatment. Laughing

The thing is though for players who are big fishes in small ponds, a team like Barca humbles them quick because of the Messi factor. So I would be surprised if he came in with the same attitude he had at Lyon. At the same time though I can't really see him becoming a bitch like Griezzman did. Laughing

He feels like the kind of player who will contribute to another CL humiliation. Square peg in a round hole. The only good thing about him is he was a free signing and he does have the physical qualities to potentially adapt. We'll have to wait and see.

by BarcaLearning Mon Jun 28, 2021 2:16 pm

I expect him to be used at the beginning, but probably prove to be not even old Aguero level and just rot on the bench Razz

by danyjr Mon Jun 28, 2021 2:54 pm

He is an awful version of Neymar.

Generally worse at everything skill-wise compared to the Brazilian plus displays the same kind of beta mentality.

guess the only reason people aren't complaining is because he was signed on a free. Otherwise poor signing from a clueless manager.

by neuro11 Wed Jul 07, 2021 3:47 pm

Yeah, but it seems he can score some goals (63 league goals in 5 seasons) as opposed to some french (18 in 4 seasons) who with all his bag of talent cant complete a single season.

by Myesyats Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:34 am

que golazo

no space for Grizzly now; Depay, Kun and Messi will make a decent trio I suppose.

by BarrileteCosmico Sun Aug 01, 2021 4:14 am

Fantastic goal. Hopefully just a taste if what's to come

by El Gunner Sun Aug 01, 2021 10:57 am

Grizzly with two immaculate assists

by Myesyats Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:32 am

El Gunner wrote:Grizzly with two immaculate assists

World class player but so unfit to our style and setup. Wouldve been probably better for his career if he went to United or somwhere

Depay is much better suited. He has already taken up the role that Neymar had in the team.

by El Gunner Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:39 am

i wonder if he'll ever get back close to his top form because which top team besides Atletico still plays two men up top these days? His best role is clearly as a supporting striker... a #10 role would probably be too far down the pitch for him because he needs to run into channels to be effective and not just pick out passes most of the time.

wasn't he rumoured to return to Atleti this off-season, what happened to that?

by Myesyats Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:52 am

El Gunner wrote:
wasn't he rumoured to return to Atleti this off-season, what happened to that?

The transfer is still on the cards from the rumors I'm reading. Its complicated, however, because Saul doesnt want to come in exchange and also Griezmann's big wages are a matter of dispute.

by Casciavit Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:22 pm

If Memphis plays in that fashion where he just spams runs from the left channel then I can see him being a success.

Do what Neymar did in 2015 and be humble enough to accept the role unlike Neymar who wanted to be Messi V2 after Messi’s injury in 2016.

by farfan Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:54 pm

danyjr wrote:He is an awful version of Neymar.

Generally worse at everything skill-wise compared to the Brazilian plus displays the same kind of beta mentality.

guess the only reason people aren't complaining is because he was signed on a free. Otherwise poor signing from a clueless manager.

So what would've been a better move? not sign anyone? because that was the only other option.

by El Gunner Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:47 pm

i think it's pretty safe to say danyjr didn't see a single minute of Depay at Lyon

by The Franchise Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:46 pm

Impressive start, even if just in friendlies.

Talented and confident, good movement without the ball also.

Showed the adaptability Koeman spoke about, played as part of 2 man front line before moving out to the left.

by Myesyats Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:11 am

Piqué: "After the goal, Memphis told me that the assist was in gratitude for helping him to register."
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 15, 2021

seems like a really cool guy, already friends with everybody Very Happy

by The Franchise Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:05 pm

Really good performance, 8/10 and only thing missing was a goal. Involved in everything crucial and a key outlet for Neto to play long to.

I'm pretty convinced he will have a very good season, injuries permitting.

I need to see him, Fati and Demir at some point in the season. Have the impression that could end up being the best 3 we have.

by farfan Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:20 pm

danyjr wrote:He is an awful version of Neymar.

Generally worse at everything skill-wise compared to the Brazilian plus displays the same kind of beta mentality.

guess the only reason people aren't complaining is because he was signed on a free. Otherwise poor signing from a clueless manager.

This post is already starting to age badly.

You just can't help but take these big swings, don't you? Laughing

by danyjr Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:10 pm

farfan wrote:
danyjr wrote:He is an awful version of Neymar.

Generally worse at everything skill-wise compared to the Brazilian plus displays the same kind of beta mentality.

guess the only reason people aren't complaining is because he was signed on a free. Otherwise poor signing from a clueless manager.

This post is already starting to age badly.

You just can't help but take these big swings, don't you?

Scoring against scrubs so far. Let's wait and see if he turns up against a decent team.

by Myesyats Mon Aug 30, 2021 10:14 pm

He is indeed "worse at everything than Neymar" but who isn't? Neymar is a top 3-5 player.

Depay is no scrub, less spectacular in his skillset than Neymar but it looks like he's matured a lot, can play equally well either in the middle or out on the wing, slotted in at Barca like he was always meant to be there. This Barca is clearly not a CL-winning side, but Depay has great quality undeniably.

Definitely not a "poor signing", so thats a big L already.

by The Franchise Tue Aug 31, 2021 3:00 pm

Sociedad aren't a decent team?

Bizarre take.

by Myesyats Tue Aug 31, 2021 3:11 pm

The Franchise wrote:Sociedad aren't a decent team?

Bizarre take.

and Bilbao

by neuro11 Tue Aug 31, 2021 3:49 pm

most of the La Liga teams are scrubs like the two he already played vs. so, this performance will suffice. The league title is not decided on 2-3 games. we stand no chance in CL this season, so that's out of the question

by danyjr Tue Aug 31, 2021 4:02 pm

I have doubts about him being good against a good set up, or decent defenders. La Liga defenders have historically lacked speed and presence. They are made for players Depay IMHO.

Would be interesting to see how he fares in La Liga vs Real Madrid, Atlético and then Villarreal and Sevilla to a lesser degree.

by The Franchise Tue Aug 31, 2021 4:10 pm

Myesyats wrote:
The Franchise wrote:Sociedad aren't a decent team?

Bizarre take.

and Bilbao

Yes, them too. Obviously a more than decent side. I only left them out because he didnt score. But he was still one of our few good players in that too.

I just think its a bit ridiculous to try and still maintain Depay was a poor singing. That is pretty much out going out of of the window already. Most other people will consider it one of the best signing any team has made when you factor in the price.

I can see it now though, when Barca struggle against both Madrid's and the Champions league big games (as we would have anyway and as we did even with Messi) apparently Depay sucks and is a flop.

by Myesyats Tue Aug 31, 2021 4:12 pm

Depay did score vs Bilbao, he was great vs Sociedad but didnt score

by The Franchise Tue Aug 31, 2021 4:16 pm

Oh thats right, I got it the other way around. It wasnt against Sociedad he didnt score, which was his best game.

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