Louis Van Gaal gives an update on if Depay can succeed at Barcelona.
Memphis Depay looks on to become new Barca boss Ronald Koeman’s first signing of the summer after agreeing on personal terms with the club according to reports.
Van Gaal signed Depay in a £25million deal back in 2015 but the forward failed to make an impression at Old Trafford.
He was then sold to Lyon in 2017 where he rejuvenated his career and now sets to become Koeman’s first summer signing.
Van Gaal was recently asked whether Depay can thrive at Barcelona.
Van Gaal told Tutto Mercato : “There’s always a question mark. Depay is an interesting player, especially when he’s free to play.
“But we have to consider adapting to a new culture and a new team. And the first year is always the hardest.
“Look at [Matthijs] De Ligt, or Frenkie de Jong.
“Depay has talent, but he’s not [Lionel] Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Depay laid blame on the former Manchester United boss for his failure at the club.
“At United I got confused,” Depay said.
“I had to follow the tactical orders of Van Gaal, otherwise I would certainly lose my spot in the team. Van Gaal doesn’t like players who don’t follow up on his comments.
“Meanwhile I knew I couldn’t get the best out of my play this way: staying on the left side of the field, running back and forth.
“I didn’t understand: you buy me because of my specific qualities you saw at PSV and the Dutch national team. After that you put me in a role where I can’t play that way anymore. For me that was confusing.”
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