"I think I'm going to Real Madrid. Yes, that's a serious goal."
Memphis Depay is a talented footballer. He has scored at the World Cup and in the Champions League, and secured a big money move to the Premier League, achieving feats that most players can only dream of. Depay also appears to be in decent form for Lyon, he has scored twice and set up three goals in eight appearances for the French side this season, helping them to sixth place in Ligue 1.
However, is Memphis Depay as good at football as he thinks he is? Almost certainly not. The Dutch winger seems to suffer from Nicklas Bendtner syndrome, a condition that causes talented footballers to overestimate their ability and think they are potentially world class. Depay displayed aspects of this during his unhappy spell with Manchester United.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/899516674231209984
In the summer of 2015, the 23-year-old arrived at Old Trafford with a big reputation after a great spell for PSV Eindhoven. Much was expected of him, and Depay was handed United's famous number seven squad number. But the step from Dutch football to excelling in the Premier League would prove too great for the winger.
After displaying a few flashes of quality early in his time at United, Depay struggled for form and was soon out of the first-team. In a game against Newcastle United in August 2015, Depay lost possession 35 times. His stock was so low at the end of the season, he wasn't even part of the FA Cup final squad.
Jose Mourinho then took over from Louis van Gaal and Depay made just five appearances under the current United boss before leaving for Lyon in January. Memphis is still relatively young, so he still could, in theory, end up playing for one of Europe's top teams. He certainly hopes so, and is aiming extremely high.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/878346836788076544
During a recent interview, Depay said that he while is happy with Lyon, he thinks he will play for Real Madrid one day. Most players hope to play at the highest level possible, but it appears Memphis is past merely hoping - he seems to genuinely think he is on his way to one of the world's biggest clubs.
"I had very nice things at PSV, but I wanted to reach higher goals in my career," Depay told PSV Supporter magazine
"At Lyon, I'm very pleased, the club is in a way comparable to PSV. But I think I'm going to Real Madrid. Yes, that's a serious goal. What's happened so far, that's God, he helps me and brings me here."
Madrid are currently spoiled for attacking talent in Depay's position. And we doubt Zinedine Zidane will dispense with Cristiano Ronaldo, Marco Asensio or Gareth Bale at any point in the near future in order to sign Memphis. But it's good to have a goal, and the Dutch winger certainly has that.
Unsurprisingly, some found Depay's claim amusing.
https://twitter.com/lyadasa/status/918932348821000192
https://twitter.com/MUFCMonger/status/919113957767548931
https://twitter.com/manliketads/status/918946649124327425
https://twitter.com/Jedd95/status/918972731814764544
https://twitter.com/michael7jones/status/919572376114823169
https://twitter.com/55fenderstrat/status/919805036917600257
https://twitter.com/garyMUFC86/status/919623798315520000
https://twitter.com/FindingFellaini/status/919818697803317248
