Memphis Depay is part of FC Barcelona’s match selection after more than three months. The 28-year-old striker has been included in the selection for Saturday afternoon’s match against fellow citizen Espanyol.
Memphis last played for FC Barcelona on September 17th. At the time, the former PSV, Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais player was a starter in the league match against Elche. In that match, won by the Catalans 3-0, Memphis won 2-0.
A week later, Memphis suffered a hamstring injury during the Orange’s Nations League match in and against Poland and did not play for his employer until the World Cup.
Memphis started out of the starting lineup during the global finals but had a starting spot in the group match against Qatar, the round of 16 against the United States and the quarterfinals against Argentina, which the Netherlands he dropped after a win in a penalty shootout. Memphis was once accurate in the global finals, against the United States.
Memphis’ contract with FC Barcelona expires after this season. From 1 January, the attacker can therefore already meet potentially interested clubs.
FC Barcelona can still use Lewandowski
Just like Memphis, Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, among others, are part of FC Barcelona’s selection for the meeting with Espanyol. The 34-year-old Pole was suspended for three matches following his red card in a duel with Osasuna shortly before the World Cup break. With the appeal still pending, Lewandowski can make an appearance against Espanyol.
Lewandowski received two yellow cards against Osasuna within half an hour. On leaving the field he hit his nose, which was seen as “contempt and disrespect for the referee”. The striker later stated that the gesture was intended for his coach Xavi and not for the referee.
Only on Friday was it announced that Lewandowski could still be used on Saturday. “It’s not the best time, because we were looking forward to this match with the idea that he wouldn’t be able to play. But of course this is great news,” Xavi said in his press conference on Friday.
FC Barcelona leads in La Liga with 37 points from fourteen games. Number two Real Madrid, the holder of the title, has 35 points. Espanyol is number sixteen just above the relegation zone.