Ronald Koeman recently left for Barcelona, ​​after which Frank de Boer was appointed as his successor as national coach of the Dutch national team. According to Memphis Depay, however, not much has changed since the arrival of the former Ajax coach: “We have a new trainer, but it does not feel different. That is special, you do not see that often”, according to the attacker of Orange. and Olympique Lyon.

In Wednesday’s friendly game against Mexico (0-1), Teun Koopmeiners made his midfield debut and Owen Wijndal as left back. In addition, there were offensive roles for Georginio Wijnaldum and Donny van de Beek. Everything else remained largely the same. “It is not the intention that we will change much in our way of playing”, Depay explains in conversation with Football International. “It’s more that there were new boys on the field, while we had little time to practice in that composition. You have to build a connection again. The midfield is decisive in the football that we play. That’s where the connection with the attack. That could have been better against Mexico. It just took some getting used to. “

“Normally you have Frenkie de Jong running in midfield. In all fairness: Frenkie is the engine of our game”, Depay hands out a compliment to the Barcelona midfielder. “In the first half you saw that we were looking. The positions were not well occupied. Then the attack is also a bit stiffer.” Many analysts thought that Depay too often dropped out of the striker position against Mexico. “I think that is not so bad”, emphasizes the Orange international. “This is how we play, it’s just good that I get between the lines. If it didn’t make sense or fit, we would change that. It’s not like I can do what I want. I just have my own tasks in the field. “

Depay seems to be in good shape with De Boer, who gave the captain’s armband to the Lyon attacker after replacing Virgil van Dijk against Mexico. “That is an honor anyway,” said the proud Depay. “I’m used to it at my club, but it hadn’t happened with the Dutch national team yet. Some players who also qualify for that were not in the field. But in the end it’s an honor. And whether or not I have the wear captain’s armband, I always try to take responsibility and get things down. “