In week 29 of the French Ligue 1, Lyon defeated Toulouse by a score of 4-0. The display was a dominant one by the home side with the most impressive player of the game being Dutch winger, Memphis Depay.
Depay at only 23-years-old is already perceived as a bust to Manchester United and Premier League fans. The Dutch international was a young and promising forward when he arrived at Old Trafford in the 2015 season from PSV. The pressure had to be huge for the 21-year-old at the time, to live up to the hype of a very demanding Man United fan base.
The club at the time was looking for a savior, Depay did not live up to the hype just scoring two goals in 16 games as a starter in the Premier League. The 16/17 start of the season with the Red Devils was not any better with Anthony Martial already established as the savior of the resurging franchise and Depay left in the shadows. Memphis only had four appearances under Jose Mourinho in the EPL all coming as a sub. It was clear a career change was imminent for the young forward who still had potential to be showcased.
Depay, went to Ligue 1 side, Lyon, in the January transfer window. The transfer was a clear one for both sides, Depay wanted a career change and Lyon needed a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette departure away from the club is imminent in the next transfer window. Since joining the French club, Depay already has five goals in six games as a starter in the Ligue 1, with Manchester United, Depay only achieved seven goals in 53 appearances in all competitions.
Memphis Depay has found a home at the Grand Stade and this became even more clear this Sunday, March 12. Depay scored two goals in Lyon’s 4-0 victory against Toulouse, which was a shocking result since Toulouse do have a strong defense. Depay’s first goal was a thing of beauty with nice link-up play with fullback, Christophe Jallet, making a perfect pass to Depay. The Dutch international would finish the opportunity inside the penalty area with ease. Making an impossible looking across the body shot in between two of Toulouse’s defenders to get past Alban Lafont in net.
If the first goal Depay scored was amazing, his second goal of the game was unthinkable. Memphis Depay would do a thing of beauty and ambition and catch 18-year-old goalkeeper, Alban Lafont off his line and shoot from the middle of the pitch. The shot would curve in beautifully and ironically be reminiscent of David Beckham’s 1996 goal against Wimbledon.
Depay seems happy with his new club as shown by the way he celebrates with his teammates and by his tweets. The Netherlands native has already established himself as a leader in attack for Lyon, as Alexandre Lacazette often does on the pitch as well. Depay has found in Lyon a place where he can be a prominent figure without the pressure of a hugely demanding fan base, Lyon has found its answer to the imminent absence of Alexandre Lacazette.
