The former Dutch midfielder was delighted with Depay’s transfer.
New Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said he was very happy with the recent transfer of his star striker Memphis Depay to Atletico Madrid “where he will have playing time”, he told Zeist on Monday. .
On the sidelines of his induction press conference for the position of coach, the Dutch coach considered “positive” the official departure Friday of the Barça striker to Madrid “where he will have the playing time necessary to reach his best level then that he didn’t play much at Barcelona”. Then coach of the Spanish club, Ronald Koeman had been at the origin of the arrival of Depay in Catalonia in July 2021.
Reduced by a thigh injury between October and November, and very little used by Xavi since the start of the season (four matches, one goal), in particular due to the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Memphis Depay wanted to leave the Catalan club this winter when his contract was due to expire in June. Recruited for three million euros, the 28-year-old striker will fill the void left in the club’s attack “rojiblanco” by the departure of Portuguese Joao Felix, on loan to Chelsea until the end of the season.
Memphis Depay had left Olympique Lyonnais on July 1, 2021 and signed free with the Catalan club. Last season (2021-2022), he scored thirteen goals and provided two assists in 38 matches. In addition, Ronald Koeman was also “delighted” with the transfer of his other striker, Cody Gakpo (23), who arrived in Liverpool this winter from PSV Einhoven. “It’s an excellent transfer: he plays his matches at Liverpool and playing is a requirement for his good development”.
