Daley Blind praises Memphis Depay at the press moment of the Dutch on Friday afternoon. According to the versatile defender, the acquisition of Barcelona has now become an indispensable link in the team of national coach Frank de Boer. Assistant national coach Ruud van Nistelrooij is also full of praise for the development of Depay as attack leader of the Netherlands.
“He’s a great player,” Blind complimented Depay during Friday’s press conference. “He has already shown in many matches how important it is. He is a player with many qualities, who is also always playable. He can do magic and provides a lot of goals and assists. I’m glad he’s doing so well He really went through a sprint. Memphis has so many individual qualities that he can be decisive at any moment in the game. Like Georginio Wijnaldum, he has a lot of work ethic, which is extremely important for the team,” Blind adds. his fellow international.
Van Nistelrooij, who joined later, shares Blind’s opinion about Depay’s role within the the Dutch squad. “Memphis is a boy with whom I see a certain focus. He clearly has an urge to prove himself to be the best, together with the team he plays in. It’s nice to see how he shows that on the field.” According to De Boer’s right-hand man, Depay is extremely eager to learn. “He is hungry and always asks questions. He has overcome a serious knee injury and is now very important for the national team. And we enjoy that. He started as a winger but has developed fantastically as number nine. We talk about those details whatever, although I don’t have to tell him how to play football, it’s more about finishing chances,” said Van Nistelrooij.
During the press moment, Blind was not only asked about Depay. Simon Black Cross from Football International wants to know how the players’ council of the Dutch deals with the various social issues that play during the European Championship. The defender does not seem to immediately know an answer and first looks questioningly at press secretary Bas Ticheler. “Is that something that remains internal?”, Blind first wonders aloud, and then simply gives an answer. “There are enough experienced boys in the selection, but also younger players such as Matthijs de Ligt who play at the top. And we also have Marten de Roon, Georginio Wijnaldum and myself. That way we have a nice group together”, clarifies. Blind, who also discusses the role of Van Nistelrooij with the Dutch during this European Championship.
“From the start of the training camp, Ruud has been busy transferring tournament experience,” Blind explains the input of the former attacker. Many guys have no experience at a major tournament, I myself have only experienced one tournament (the 2014 World Cup, ed.). We as players benefit a lot from those tips and Ruud helps us with that in a fantastic way,” concludes the the Dutch defender.
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