27 May 2021 – Juninho regrets that Memphis Depay has decided to continue his career elsewhere, but does not just speak praise for the 27-year-old Dutch attacker. The technical director of Olympique Lyon tells in an interview with the club channel that Memphis wanted too much control over the composition of the selection. There are only a few players who can have such an important voice and Memphis is not one of them, according to Juninho.
Memphis officially announced his departure from Olympique Lyon last week. In an extensive interview in L’Equipe, the former PSV and Manchester United player said that he is ready for a new challenge. Memphis played 178 official games for The Gones, in which he accounted for 76 goals and 55 assist. Memphis has not yet given any clarity about his future plans, although he seems to be on his way to Barcelona.
Lyon hoped to capture the Dutch attacker, but Memphis did not want to renew his expiring contract. “He scored, assists and was involved in decisive moments,” Juninho reflects on the past few years. “But he wanted us to build the team around him. That’s not a criticism, I respect him. We had a good relationship, but didn’t always agree. The whole team had to revolve around him. That’s difficult.”
There are only four players who can demand what Memphis asked for, according to Juninho. “Those are Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Memphis is a good footballer, but not as good as those four. Without the ball, he didn’t do enough work. The president has done everything he can to extend the contact and was willing More to do than was necessary when he got injured, but I think Memphis has had its day. ”
