Behind Memphis Depay lies a difficult first season at FC Barcelona. A premature farewell is out of the question for the Dutchman.
Striker Memphis Depay isn’t wasting his thoughts on leaving FC Barcelona despite a season that has been unsatisfactory at times. Instead, the 28-year-old wants to attack again next season. “It feels like my home. I’m looking forward to coming back,” Depay told Dutch TV broadcaster NOS on the fringes of the international matches with Elftal.
Under coach Ronald Koeman, Depay was one of the regular players at the start of the season, but that changed under his successor Xavi. For the former attacker from Olympique Lyon and Manchester United, however, that was not due to the change of coach.
Memphis Depay: FC Barcelona’s top league goalscorer
“I didn’t fall from grace. I hurt myself at the most stupid moment and when I came back there were three new players and the team won,” said Depay, citing Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore, who all joined FC Barcelona in January.
After that, Depay mostly only came on as substitutes, but he still ended the season with twelve league goals and was the club’s top scorer in this competition. “Was it a difficult time? Sure. But I trained hard, kept my mouth shut and showed that I’m better,” he said confidently. When asked if he wanted to stay, he replied without hesitation, “Yes!”
Depay’s contract runs until the summer of 2023. Due to his difficult situation in Barcelona, he has recently been linked with a return to the Premier League, among other things.
