Rafael van der Vaart and Theo Janssen are amazed at the sometimes very critical attitude of analysts and football fans towards Memphis Depay. The former midfielders believe that the Olympique Lyon attacker is one of the most important players of the Dutch almost every game. Depay deserves much more credit as attack leader of the Dutch national team, it sounds.
“I am really annoyed by the hassle around Memphis”, Van der Vaart opens in Studio Football. “I also get text messages from friends with: ‘Change that guy’. It’s our best player. Sure, we haven’t seen him against Turkey, but he creates so much. And every time there is something.” Janssen agrees with the opinion of his fellow analyst. “A lot of people also send me messages:” That Memphis, he was bad again and didn’t hit a marble at all. “I immediately say:” Go and see the images of him tomorrow. “
“Memphis defended along, played the ball and in the end came through the goal (by Steven Berghuis, ed.)”, Janssen continues his analysis of the often criticized Depay. “Many people are irritated by the fact that he wants to take all corners and free kicks.” Arno Vermeulen, who is also present, agrees with this criticism. “They have a point there, of course. Van der Vaart then takes it up for the attacker. “With the Dutch national team I see someone who is very active, does his best and creates an incredible amount. Even if you don’t understand football you can see that he is incredibly dangerous.”
Janssen prefers to see Depay operating from the left. Van der Vaart understands why his colleague thinks that. “He comes from the left a lot anyway, but he has become really good at the Dutch national team because we were nothing more. Ronald Koeman came and we played a bit defensively against good teams. And then it was good that he was in the striker. “But I agree. He has a lot more freedom from the left.” Janssen then warns national coach Frank de Boer. “You shouldn’t tell him to walk with that back. That way he can focus more on attacking. With a striker who can score a goal and thus draws the attention away from him a bit. That will work in his favor. because he is a fantastic player. “
Pierre van Hooijdonk is also an admirer of the much-discussed Depay. “There is so much risk in him. When things go wrong, it looks a bit clumsy and a bit nonchalant, that is what he gets over him. But often with those things he makes the difference.” Janssen then brings up Depay’s influence on the attacking game of the Dutch again. “Without him there will be no chances at all. He is the one who creates something. And other wingers we have now, Steven Bergwijn, Steven Berghuis and Donyell Malen and so on. They are not in their best shape. few players in form, so Memphis has to do even more “, said Janssen.