ANP extension
NOS Football•
Those who were still worried about Memphis Depay’s injury can rest easy after the Orange’s first training session ahead of the World Cup. The striker, who hasn’t played since the end of September, participated in almost two hours of training at Zeist in full.
“He’s doing well,” Memphis said afterward. “I’m working on the road and I feel fit. I’ve been training hard in the last few weeks.”
During a party game he did not shy away from duels. “As long as you don’t have to think about an action, you know it’s going well and you’ll be back. I feel like I always do,” said the FC Barcelona striker.
On the bench against Senegal
Fit or not, Memphis starts the World Cup as a reserve. National coach Louis van Gaal announced on Friday that Vincent Janssen will be playing against Senegal. At most, Memphis will enter, to regain some competitive rhythm.
Had it been for Memphis himself, he would have played against Senegal on Monday. “It was hard to hear that I won’t start. But everything has a reason and the manager has a vision with the team. We communicate well with each other.”
Memphis trains hard with Orange: “I’m working away and I feel fit”
“Today’s training was a start. We still have a whole week left. When the coach needs me, I hope to be there,” Memphis looked ahead to the tournament in Qatar.
Never despair
Depay suffered a thigh injury in the Orange Team’s international match against Poland on 22 September. His rehabilitation took longer than expected. “I was almost able to resume group training at Barcelona when I had a setback.”
He has never been afraid of losing the World Cup. “There was never any desperation,” Memphis said. “Life is trial and error and everything happens for a reason.”
“You have to know: I really had to hold back at times. I missed an important spell at Barcelona, when they needed me and I wanted to be important for the team,” he referred to the Spanish top club’s Champions League elimination. “He was really sorry I couldn’t play, but I love to be back.”
Now that he’s fit again, Memphis is looking back on a rough patch. “Being a footballer isn’t always easy. Eating and sleeping well, of course, is normal. But there’s so much more mentally when you’re an athlete. I’m proud to be fit again.”
ANP extension
