IN SPORT.ES
Everything seems destined for Memphis Depay to run down his contract with FC Barcelona. It expires on June 30 and no one is overly willing to do their part to avoid it. The player, if he goes before, wants to do so for free. Whether in January or June. The future contracts that come to him, of course, will therefore be more succulent if he joins a new club for zero cost. And Barça, for their part, commented to the striker that if he wants to leave in the winter, it must be with a transfer fee, even if it is something ridiculous. And that is where we are.
Faced with such a scenario, Xavi's coaching staff have two options left: try to 'recover for the cause' the former Lyon forward, who started regularly under Xavi when he first came in last year, or continue to use him very little. The participation of Memphis has been testimonial in these first months of the season. In fact, he spent the weeks leading up to the World Cup in Qatar injured and then, almost miraculously, was discharged to feature for the Netherlands. His World Cup performances were very discrete, though.
LEWY ALTERNATIVE
With Robert Lewandowski's suspension (three LaLiga games), a new scenario opens up for Memphis. In theory, Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres (in principle the former against Espanyol in the derby) have more options to act as Barça's '9' in the next games. But the Dutchman can turn things around. He is fit and motivated (this is attested to on his social networks these past days) and he wants to hunt down any opportunity that the Barça coach gives him.
Since the last clash against Espanyol at Camp Nou (November, 2021) Memphis' situation has taken a 180º turn. On that day, Xavi's first on the bench as Barça boss, he was a starter and the team's main offensive weapon. In fact, he scored the only goal of the match (1-0), from the penalty spot.
TURNING POINT
Memphis then played the next four full games as a starter. In a team plagued with injuries, Xavi didn't have many alternatives. He again scored a decisive goal against Villarreal. But after the painful defeat against Bayern (3-0), the attacker was injured and never recovered his place.
In fact, he did not start again until March 10 in Istanbul against Galatasaray. The signings of Aubameyang, Ferran and Adama in January relegated him. We will see what role he has in the second half of the season.