Atlético’s new signing Memphis Depay has not yet been able to impress at Madrid. Trainer Diego Simeone is still anything but convinced of the qualities of the Orange striker. The Argentinian would not consider the attacker ready for a basic place.
Last weekend, Memphis got five minutes of playing time from Simeone. A goal by Correa from a rebound after a shot by Thomas Lemar was disallowed for offside. At first glance it seemed to be, there were not even strong protests from Atlético. The greater surprise was when it turned out to be a goal. Players of the home team ran to the bench to celebrate the goal with the surprised Correa.
Correa’s goal was not enough for Atlético. A handball from substitute Saúl Ñíguez in his own penalty area gave Getafe an excellent opportunity to level the score in the 83rd minute. Enes Ünal, former goal getter of NAC Breda and FC Twente, used that opportunity flawlessly: 1-1.
According to the Spanish AS, it was initially not even the intention to take the striker, who was taken over from Barcelona, off the bench, but a late equalizer from Getafe forced the coach to do so. Because it was his only offensive impulse on the bench, Simeone brought Memphis after all.
Depay’s stats in Madrid
So far, Memphis has only collected 66 minutes of play in the capital. Not once was he allowed to start from the kick-off. According to Simeone, the lack of rhythm is one of the reasons for the lack of playing time. According to the Spanish medium, the coach would not be ready for Atlético’s starting eleven.
One of the causes is the way Memphis entered. In the run-up to the World Cup, the striker was injured, while he had only received 204 minutes of playing time in Catalonia until then. By way of comparison: at the World Cup, Memphis already played more minutes (298). The physical condition causes a headache for Simeone, which an attacker can use well.
In addition to Memphis, Atlético also has Álvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann and Ángel Correa within the ranks. Because Simeone prefers to set up all three, he looked for an extra alternative. That was Memphis, but for now that choice is not a success.
