Memphis Depay is in ‘extremely complicated situation’ at Barcelona, warns Sport. According to the Catalan newspaper, the unassailable starting position that the 27-year-old striker had under Ronald Koeman will soon be in question. “After a hopeful start, the light is fading for Memphis Depay,” said the medium.
Depay has just recovered from a muscle injury that kept him out for six games. Where the the Dutch international played everything before his injury, the cards are now shuffled differently. It is highly questionable whether Xavi will choose to start Depay in the semifinal of the Supercopa against Real Madrid on Wednesday. Sport points to the ‘resurrection’ of Luuk de Jong, who has managed to score in the past two competition matches.
On Saturday, Depay did not grab his chance at all. The attacker made his comeback as a substitute for De Jong against Granada (1-1), but did more wrong than good in the half hour that he played. Also in the first five games under Xavi, in which Depay played the full 450 minutes, the coach was not convinced of the Dutchman. Depay scored twice, including one penalty.
The biggest competition for Depay will be according to Sport not come from De Jong, but from Ferran Torres. That will not happen on Wednesday in the Supercopa against Real Madrid, because the acquisition is not available due to a corona infection. Thanks to the contract extension of Samuel Umtiti, Ferran has now been registered and will soon make his debut. He can play as a right winger and as a striker.
Furthermore, Ansu Fati is ready for his return: the top talent is against Real in the match selection, although the left winger is still a little doubtful. In the short term, Depay will have two major competitors in the attack, while Xavi also has Ousmane Dembélé, Ferran Jutglà, Ez Abde and De Jong at his disposal. “It’s a delicate situation for Memphis,” concludes Sport.