Valentijn Driessen expects that Memphis Depay will still be important for the Dutch national team at this World Cup. Due to the return of an injury, the attacker does not have a starting place under national coach Louis van Gaal, although he did play as a substitute against Senegal (0-2). In the past, Driessen also saw big names such as Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben not fit to start major tournaments, only to be of great value to the the Dutch later on.
“Memphis has, at least he hasn’t shown that yet, the qualities of Robben and Van Basten,” concludes Driessen in a video item by The Telegraph. “But I think the build-up is very good, very easy. And that is also possible. With this group you can bring someone like Memphis very slowly. It was also said in advance: it is a shame that he got injured in September. on the other hand: he is fully fit, you can build him up quietly. Thirty minutes against Senegal, forty-five minutes against Ecuador. Then more than an hour or eighty minutes against Qatar,” predicts the regular follower of the Dutch national team.
“And then he can be there for ninety minutes in the next round, against Iran, Wales or the United States,” adds the hopeful Driessen. “It is an ideal tournament structure. The way you want it as a team and the way you want it as a player who is injured. In that respect, the way is completely open to the semi-finals.” Depay therefore does not seem to start against Ecuador on Friday, although it is expected that the Barcelona attacker will be used as a substitute again. Van Gaal did not want to say much about the playing opportunities for Depay at the press conference this week.
When asked by a journalist whether Memphis can start against Ecuador, because he is probably fit enough for at least a half, Van Gaal did not want to say anything. “That’s actually a question that I can’t answer yet, but I can after the game. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to open my cards. If I start telling who starts and who doesn’t, I’ll let people look at my cards I also don’t know whether (Enner, ed.) Valencia is playing or not, that saves a sip on a drink.”
Memphis has worked individually towards the World Cup in Amsterdam, but is training with the group in Qatar. Van Gaal therefore gave an insight into the process. “We have always included Memphis in the party forms, for the uncontrolled movements. We now go to the next step. That’s 45 minutes. With an injury like that it is always difficult, when can you start? We have data and after comparisons we decide when he will play for 90 minutes.”