Louis van Gaal is either a genius or just another kid that wants to put the winger with 5 star skill moves at striker in FIFA. Only time will tell.
Van Gaal has come out and said that he plans to play new acquisition Memphis Depay at striker next year, and that doing so is more than a reaction to the departures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.
"It is one of the reasons that we have bought Memphis because maybe you remember that he has played in the striker's position also in the Dutch [national] team.”
This would be a surprising revelation if true. Memphis is talented and capable of scoring goals; he scored 28 and had 8 assists in 40 appearances for PSV Eindhoven last year. But, he is a winger, that is his natural position.
Never the less, van Gaal is confident in Depay’s ability to play up top.
“He learns very quickly. He can play in different positions and that is also a reason we have bought him. He is one of the greatest talents of his age.”
And he was realistic, as well.
“We have to wait and see which position he can give the greatest benefit to the team…We have to give him time.”
Depay is incredibly skilled at getting past a man. He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s got flat out skill.
Don’t take my word for it. The first highlight in this video sets the tone for the rest of it, it’s a clinic in how to embarrass a defense, Eredivisie defending aside.
He could be one of the most exciting strikers in the premier league, if he can handle playing striker. He looks really good in that video, but looking good as a winger is much different than leading the line as a striker. The pressure is just so much greater.
That being said, van Gaal is just the kind of crazy bastard that could pull off this transition.
I am already way too excited for the Premier League season.
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