Manchester United winger Memphis Depay is being heavily linked with a move to Everton
I have to say when Dutch youngster Memphis Depay rocked up at Manchester United in the summer of 2015 I was expecting big things. The season prior to his big-money move to Old Trafford Depay was hot property at PSV Eindhoven.
The youngster had helped PSV to the Eredivisie title and was seen as one of the most exciting young players in world football. The move to a richer club in a bigger league was not surprising.
To say he has been a flop at United would not be harsh. His failure could be down to many factors.
It could be a lack of playing time, the step-up into a tougher league or a lack of determination on his part to succeed. Whatever the reasons for his failure at United, it seems the forward is set to move on.
Big talent and big ego
The problem with some talented young footballers is that their ego becomes inflated by constant praise. They start believing their own hype. Depay was a big fish in the small pond of the Eredivisie. However, the Premier League is where big egos can be destroyed very quickly.
It is no place for players believing that they are world-class, without actually proving it. It seemed like Depay believed he had made it as soon as he joined United. What a mistake to make. A lot of young players with supposed big futures careers have died in the English top-flight, simply because they do not try hard enough.
United boss Jose Mourinho will indulge big egos, but only if those big egos are performing. Nobody can realistically say that Depay’s performances have lived up to his reputation. Basically, his ego has been writing cheques that his performances cannot cash.
A move to Everton
A number of tabloids, including the , claim that Everton are hoping to sign Depay in January on loan for the rest of the season. Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has even stated he would like to sign the winger.
Now there are reports that Depay is ‘intrigued’ by Everton, so a deal could very well be a goer come the start of the winter transfer window. The big question would be if United boss Jose Mourinho would be willing to let Depay to leave in January.
Everton and United are considered as teams competing for the top six, if not top four spots, so some may deem them as rivals. However, if Mourinho rates Depay so little, then maybe he would not consider loaning him out to be strengthening a rival team!
United may just benefit from the arrangement. Everton boss Koeman is obviously a big fan of his compatriot and believes he can get the best out of him. If he can help Depay recover his best form then that will only be good for United.
Depay would then return to Old Trafford in better shape. The Red Devils could then utilise the revitalised Depay or just move him on and probably recoup most of the transfer fee they paid for him.
An opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League
A temporary move to Everton seems like the ideal solution for Depay. The Toffees are likely to be competing for a top-six position, which they are to achieve.
The Merseysider’s also have a highly-rated boss at the helm, who seems to believe in Depay’s ability and potential. Everton have a number of talented but erratic wingers at the club already. However, with Koeman’s faith maybe Depay can produce a tad more consistency than Yannick Bolasie, Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas.
He would definitely see more first-team action on Merseyside than at Old Trafford that is for sure. Depay has played less than half-an-hour of top-flight football this season. He even has the added bonus of the fact that he would not even have to relocate.
Memphis Depay has been accused of having a poor attitude by some at United. However, he is still 22-years of age and has undoubted talent. For one reason or another, things have not worked out for him at United.
A temporary switch to a club just up the road could hold the key to unlocking Memphis Depay ability. Surely this would be a good move for everybody?
