Thank God Memphis Depay got himself out of the Premier League and got his career back on track.
No longer is he in the rough cycle of having his confidence shattered by regular media slatings which, in turn, leads to the gradual drop-off in his performances on the pitch.
Now he’s in France where the press is never negative and where he can recapture the form that made him one of Europe’s hottest properties just two short seasons ago.
Or not…
Having finally escaped his Manchester United nightmare in January by moving to Lyon, Depay would have hoped to kick on under significantly less pressure that is typically endured at a club the size of United.
Not long for Old Traffordhttps://t.co/vxY0gfifEC
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 31, 2016
But it would appear as though the Dutchman is really struggling to find his footing in France as his Lyon career got off to a rough start, with back-to-back defeats not exactly convincing the club’s supporters of the winger’s ability to impact games.
The 22-year-old started for Lyon in the Rhône derby against Saint-Étienne Sunday night and put forward what was one of his worst games ever. And there have been plenty of stinkers in recent times.
So dreadful was Depay’s performance that he was awarded a 2/10 in the player ratings from French outlet L’Equipe, with no other player on the pitch receiving a lesser mark.
Impressive first Rhône derby for Memphis Depay. L'Equipe awards him 2/10, making him (in their eyes) the joint-worst player on the pitch.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) February 6, 2017
Perhaps his game is best summed up in the below clip, in which Depay attempts to get Lyon back in the game, which finished 2-0, with a spectacular overhead kick attempt.
It didn’t go to plan and the Dutch international’s confidence doesn’t show any signs of returning any time soon.
Memphis Depay ● Fantastic bicycle kick goal – ASSE vs OL (05/02/17) ● HD 720p pic.twitter.com/Luaa6PEvUu
— Lino Treize (@LinoTreize) February 5, 2017
