Why Tottenham should sign Memphis Depay from Lyon
After an abysmal spell at Manchester United, Memphis Depay moved to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon who signed the then 22-year-old for a fee that rose up to £21.7million. The Dutchman scored only two goals in 33 appearances for United but has taken the Ligue 1 by storm.
The former PSV man found the net 22 times and also assisted 16 goals in all competitions. He has averaged 2.1 shots per game and 2.1 key passes per game in a season, where he played up front for Bruno Génésio. Lyon finished third in the league behind PSG and Monaco, and are currently just three points off of second-placed Lille. (Whoscored.com)
Tottenham fans have many reasons to worry about their firepower with very little depth up front. With star man and skipper Harry Kane currently injured, Pochettino has turned to former Bilbao and Juve frontman Fernando Llorente.
The 33-year-old has found the net just once in nine appearances for the North London club, which is not good enough for a top side. Another option to the Spurs boss is Dutch international Vincent Janssen. The former AZ Alkmaar forward last featured for Spurs in August 2017 and is still at the club after there were no takers for him in January.
With South Korean star Son Heung-min deputizing upfront for the injured skipper, Tottenham need someone to come in and hold the fort. Memphis Depay could just be the one to do that.
After failing at Old Trafford, the Dutchman may have a point to prove in England’s top-flight. A move to Spurs will give him an opportunity to prove his critics wrong. Depay can play anywhere across the front-line and can also play behind Harry Kane as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder.
The Lyon man has averaged 3.1 key passes this season – the kind of service Kane and Son will thrive under. With increasing speculation over Christian Eriksen’s future amid links to Real Madrid, Depay can come in and replace the Danish magician or also play in front of him. (Whoscored.com)
The 24-year-old has a brilliant right foot and is incredible at set pieces. He has already scored two direct free-kicks this season against Amiens and Guingamp. Depay publicly stated earlier in the summer that he wants to leave Lyon if a bigger club comes in for him.
Former club Manchester United do have the first refusal on him and will have a major say in his transfer, but that shouldn’t stop Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino from attempting to sign a brilliant player.
