Koeman would have Depay at Everton

Sunday, 13 November, 2016 62comments  |  Jump to most recent
Ronald Koeman has hinted that he would be interested in signing his compatriot Memphis Depay who is out of favour at Manchester United.

One of the Netherlands' most promising young players when he emerged a few years ago, Depay was regarded as something of a marquee signing for United last year.

The 22-year-old has struggled for consistency in the Premier League, however, and there has been speculation recently that he could be allowed by Jose Mourinho to go out on loan in January.

Everton have been linked with Depay as a result and, speaking with Fox Sports in Holland, Koeman suggested he would be interested in signing him if he were available.

“He's a young player with individual qualities, like aggression and efficiency,” Koeman said.

"I would like to have him. I think he is an interesting player. He has great individual qualities. He has shown that in his early days at Manchester United.

"He just needs to play games but more recently it's been less. He needs to play more games.

"I already wanted him at Southampton in 2015, but he picked Manchester United at the time, which was a logical choice."

 

Reader Comments (62)

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David Hallwood
1 Posted 13/11/2016 at 15:51:44
A quality player who has lost his way, but once again, as with all Dutch/Belgium players, thinks he's better than what he actually is.
Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 13/11/2016 at 15:58:45
The kid is absolutely bursting with talent. I'd have him all day long.
Phil Walling
3 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:03:28
Man Utd fans say he is a playboy first and player second.Jose seems to agree with them!
Ajay Gopal
4 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:04:21
The next Royston Drenthe / Andy van der Meyde ... or the next Dennis Bergkamp?
Patrick Murphy
5 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:10:57
“Depay walks around like he has won 10 European Cups. This attitude … what's it all about?” – Ronald Koeman (when he tried to sign Depay for Southampton).

According to the Echo – Koeman tracked the player for a number of years as a scout and was markedly unimpressed by him. Depay was playing against FC Twente for his former club PSV Eindhoven in an Under-16s game and Koeman recalled some pretty stark observations.

“I always work with a list of five specific qualities: skills, tactics, physique, attitude, personality. I did not get any higher with my average ratings than 5.6 out of 10,” he told the Sunday Mirror last year.

“And you know what brought the rating down most of all? The rating for his personality.

“It is only because of the fact that I could not go any lower than zero out of 10, otherwise I would have rated him well below that.

“It was absolutely disgusting, the foul language that boy used towards his fellow players and towards people in the crowd.”

We'll see Depay in a Blue shirt in early January then?

Mark Morrissey
6 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:15:28
If Phil Walling @ 3 is right, he sounds just like another Peter Reid in the making.

Let's be fair, Jose is not always the best judge... calling Eva Carnero an ugly son of a bitch.

If he can improve what we have, bring him on. If he is only interested in his own reflection, no ta.

Jay Harris
7 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:20:08
Just another inconsistent player to add to our ranks.

If we could predict their A-Game we could manage with a squad of them but what we really need is a consistent midfield goalscorer.

Gareth Clark
8 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:23:32
Yes please!

The perfect Koeman style winger – big, strong, fast, skillful.

I think Koeman can fix the apparent attitude problem.

We need more depth, especially with Bolasie & Idrissa going to AFCON. A loan, with an option to buy.

If we can get the best out of him, with some confidence & regular games, he might very well be unstoppable.

Plus I think Mirallas and Deulofeu could use a little more competition.

Alan McGuffog
9 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:31:01
I seem to recall Bolasie as big strong and fast, especially when he was tearing us an extra one. What happened?
David Donnellan
10 Posted 13/11/2016 at 16:54:25
That's 3 Man Utd cast-offs we have been linked with in the last few weeks. We must have a loyalty card there or something.
James Stewart
11 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:20:32
I would definitely take him. Work rate questionable but undoubtedly talented and Koeman might just be the man to get the best out of him.
Mike Berry
12 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:22:15
The lad has all the football abilities in his feet but not in his head... if(?) you believe the stories from some quarters. However, he has time on his side and a second chance at Everton could be a wake-up call from his fellow countryman.

This could well be a goer in January...

Gareth Clark
13 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:29:08
Everyone saying "Why are we taking Man Utd rejects?"

Just remember that De Bruyne & Lukaku were Chelsea rejects. Di Maria was a Man Utd reject. Coutinho was a Milan reject. Pogba too was once a United reject.

It often depends on the manager & what they can get out of a player.

Mark Frere
14 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:41:40
Would signing this lad just add another inconsistent winger to the four we already have? Probably so.

I remember not so long ago when we had Arteta on one wing and Pienaar on the other wing in their prime. I'd love us to sign two consistent players like them.

Mick Davies
15 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:55:02
Rooney and now Depay: for a man who was said to be of few words, that's two Man Utd players he's expressed an interest in within a matter of weeks. I thought it was taboo among managers to discuss each others players?

It's just a pity he wasn't so keen on new signings during the summer. He says the player was on his radar at Southampton, so why wasn't he interested during the window?

I'm starting to have doubts about his ability to do his job, or even his commitment to Everton FC. Actions speak louder than words, but as far as Koeman is concerned, his deeds aren't giving us much to shout about so far.

Jim Potter
16 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:56:45
If he is a potentially great player then surely Ronald should be directing him towards the Nou Camp?
Colin Glassar
17 Posted 13/11/2016 at 17:57:43
Hmmmm, not convinced by someone who's not even sure of his own name. Personality disorder?
Oscar Huglin
18 Posted 13/11/2016 at 18:07:05
Who cares if he's a Man Utd cast off? One of the biggest prospects in world football. Would have him in a pinch.

Honestly, some of you are impossible to please.

Ray Roche
19 Posted 13/11/2016 at 18:10:30
I'd like us to sign what we need. A Coutinho type of player, not another winger.
David Donnellan
20 Posted 13/11/2016 at 18:19:57
Gareth (#13),

Of course, being an outcast at a club doesn't make you a bad player, it could just mean that you don't fit that particular team that you are signed to & may be a better player elsewhere.

However, in the last 15 or so years, we have signed rather a lot of players from Man Utd and, to be frank, the vast majority haven't done much at Everton. Howard was a good signing, Saha scored goals when he was rarely fit, and Neville served us well albeit with limited ability. As for the rest (Gibson, Cleverley, Blomqvist, O'Kane, etc) who have signed in the last 15 years or so, their time with us has been forgettable.

To be honest, I have never felt comfortable with this recent relationship we have developed with Man Utd where we take their cast-offs from them. When I was growing up, they were our rivals, not a club we regularly bought cast-offs from. How times have changed.

After the RS, they are the team I despise the most, with their plastic glory-hunting "fans".

Before anyone fires Kanchelskis or Whiteside at me. These were signed from Man Utd at a time when it wasn't the norm to buy their cast-offs regularly and, in the case of Kanchelskis, you could argue that he wasn't finished at Man Utd, rather fell out with Fergie.

In short, I would like to see this relationship between the two clubs ended.

Shane Corcoran
21 Posted 13/11/2016 at 18:24:46
Man, am I sick of Koeman. He doesn't talk about other team's players, he said in the summer. At least Martinez stuck to it when he said it.

I enjoy the international breaks for the games, and to hear ToffeeWebbers moaning about them, but, if it gives Koeman a chance to talk endlessly to the media, then I might start moaning myself.

Paul Ferry
22 Posted 13/11/2016 at 18:30:03

Phil Walling (3): Man Utd fans say he is a playboy first and player second. Jose seems to agree with him!

Where did did you hear/see that Phil? Be good to have a link. 'Man Utd fans'? Any idea of the proportion who think this way? I'm sure it's not just a couple of lads online or in a Wigan boozer or a Mediterranean island.

Danny Broderick
23 Posted 13/11/2016 at 19:12:56
I don't want Depay. He doesn't offer us anything Mirallas, Deulofeu etc don't already.

Our priorities are a striker and a support striker / Number 10.

Mike Allen
24 Posted 13/11/2016 at 19:59:41
Give one or two of our own twenty-somethings a chance before any of these overrated failures, we have more than one or two players who deserve a chance – not on the bench or a 20-minute run-out every other month but a genuine place in the side.

Failing that, go down the leagues... plenty of good footballers out their who haven't had their head turned by over-the-top plaudits.

Mike Gaynes
25 Posted 13/11/2016 at 20:02:55
Depay scored twice as a sub today for the Netherlands.

Perhaps he has grown up a little.

If Koeman didn't like him before but thinks he is worth a try now, I'm willing to take his word for it.

Raymond Fox
26 Posted 13/11/2016 at 20:17:33
No thanks, we have enough dodgy overrated posers in the squad already...

Actually about 30-40% of the squad.

Paul Holmes
27 Posted 13/11/2016 at 20:34:11
What have we got to lose? Get him in on loan and tell him to bring his mates! We are a shambles, so the more we can get in, the more we can offload in January!
Paul Conway
28 Posted 13/11/2016 at 20:59:51
If we analyse the 'Man Utd rejects' that we have had playing for us, in fact, we did better with them than without them!

Why? We were absolutely broke and shite and they weren't any worse than some of the dross who were playing for us at the time!

Such is the case now. As long is it is not an over-the-hill Rooney and instead, a young buck, who is promising to prove he was another Dutchman who was 'misinterpreted' at Man Utd and is chomping at the bit... then that will do for me!

Soren Moyer
29 Posted 13/11/2016 at 21:03:34
Yet another winger!?
Paul Conway
30 Posted 13/11/2016 at 21:18:47
We have got: Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori, Idrissa Gueye, Romelu Lukaku. If we get Memphis Depay, at least we have nearly half a top class team!
Mick Davies
31 Posted 13/11/2016 at 21:30:12
Oscar @ 18, One of the biggest prospects in world football.

Really? Well he can't get a game in an underachieving Man Utd side.

And Mike @ 25, they were playing Luxembourg FGS, not Brazil. Lukaku's scored 2 tonight, against a stronger side, but he's not called world class.

Brian Harrison
32 Posted 13/11/2016 at 21:42:20
I thought I read an article by Koeman some weeks back saying he wouldn't be signing any of his countrymen because he didn't think they were good enough.

I think he should keep his mouth shut regarding players under contract at other clubs. He mentioned openly that he would like Rooney if there was a possibility we could sign him. Now he has said the same thing over Depay. I can't believe the LMA are not having words with him or, more importantly, why isn't Moshiri saying something.

There is a transfer window opening in a few months... I suggest you have your ducks lined up for then, maybe you need to worry about the form of our current players rather than players under contract at other clubs.

Peter Murray
33 Posted 13/11/2016 at 21:54:47
So, according to Koeman, Depay's qualities are his "aggression and efficiency". These players are two a penny in the Premier League.

What about skills, awareness, vision, decision making? In other words, what about a playmaker? The last one we had was Mikel Arteta.

Oscar Huglin
34 Posted 13/11/2016 at 22:27:43
Mick @31,

"Really? Well he can't get a game in an underachieving Man Utd side."

De Bruyne couldn't get a game in an underachieving Chelsea side. Your point?

James Marshall
35 Posted 13/11/2016 at 22:43:57
Danny @23

What exactly do Mirallas and Deulofeu offer us at the moment? From where I've been sitting, that amounts to a big fat zero so far this season.

I'd take Memphis Depay in a heartbeat. The kid has attitude allegedly, but he also has talent.

Mick Davies
36 Posted 13/11/2016 at 22:44:02
Oscar, at Chelsea, they were winning trophies and had world class players during De Bruyne's time; Memphis is no better (probably no worse) than all the players we have in his position. If you can tell me how he could improve our side, then feel free.
Peter Cummings
37 Posted 13/11/2016 at 22:55:04
Mick (#15),

Like you, I don't believe Koeman has been the answer to our managerial problems and continues to 'talk the talk' while saying little. I said it from day one when he reneged twice on staying at St Mary's, for the big bucks at Goodison, bought players that aren't good enough, and follows the Martinez habit of poor selecting and subbing mistakes.

Unless we don't put at least 3 or 4 past the Swans this week without reply, my view on his ability to motivate the team will decline further (to Zero).

Tom Bowers
38 Posted 13/11/2016 at 22:57:28
At the right price I would bring him in as Everton need to bolster the attack.

Rom and Yan have been showing signs of forming a good double act and what is on the sidelines now is questionable, such as Mirallas, Valencia and, dare I say, Kone.

Assuming Big Ron doesn't feel confident just yet of starting any ''young guns'', then Depay may be a good option. Just because a player doesn't light up the eyes of one manager doesn't mean he won't for another.

However, I firmly believe another readymade class midfielder should also be on the radar.

Mick Davies
39 Posted 13/11/2016 at 23:22:45
Peter @ 37,

Sad to say after a few months in charge, but I don't see any marked improvement, compared to last season. True, our defence has looked better with Williams compared to Stones, but to keep shoehorning Jagielka in is just ridiculous when the back 4 looked so much better v West Ham (plus Robles kept a clean sheet but was replaced by Stekelenburg, who had made some bad errors in his previous games and is possibly not fully fit).

I really can't see any shape to the side, or understand any tactics he is 'allegedly' employing; the hit-and-miss Bolasie is switched from side to side, and God only knows where Barkley plays. I'm just hoping Koeman suddenly clicks and sees what he's doing wrong and gets us winning games and/or playing meaningful attractive football with motivated and well coached players.. I'm becoming disillusioned after 25+ years of false dawns, so I won't be putting any money on us.

Brian Wilkinson
40 Posted 13/11/2016 at 23:58:52
Pogba could not get a sniff at Man Utd, hence being shipped out. Lukaku likewise under Jose, let's not write the guy off just yet.
James Marshall
41 Posted 14/11/2016 at 00:29:59
We're definitely better balanced, and better at the back... but, as the saying goes, you can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter.
Brian Wilkinson
42 Posted 14/11/2016 at 01:54:48
Let's just hope we do not go for Tommy Orpington.
Mike Gaynes
43 Posted 14/11/2016 at 01:57:22
Mick (#31), no, I don't think Depay is world class, and yes, I know they were playing Lux. But he was in Blind's 23 today – which I don't think he would have been if he were still behaving like an ass – and he did take advantage of the opportunity.

Since you asked, I'd say Depay's potential upside is way higher than either Kev's or Geri's. He brings more pace and strength on the ball, and he's probably a better finisher, since those two could hardly be worse.

His scoring pace with the Dutch national side is the same as Kev's with Belgium, about one in every five. And he's only 22, versus Kev's 29, so he has plenty of time to improve.

I think he's a gamble very much worth taking.

Paul Kossoff
44 Posted 14/11/2016 at 02:05:03
Another over-rated under achiever, no goals no assists, leave him where he is, he's no better thsn what we have. And why does Koeman want another winger?

The last game he played for Man Utd, he put about as much effort in as a fourth official in a Europa League game... maybe he would fit right into Koeman's team.

Anthony Dwyer
45 Posted 14/11/2016 at 02:25:07
I'd have Depay, I'd also ask about Mata, Schniederlin and Smalling too.

Jose seems to have it in for Smalling; Mata and Depay aren't his first choice, and clearly Jose has got it wrong before... De Bruynne and Lukaku.

Just a thought.

Nicholas Ryan
46 Posted 14/11/2016 at 03:35:19
Worth having on a loan basis perhaps with an option to buy at a pre-set price?
Alan J Thompson
47 Posted 14/11/2016 at 03:55:25
It wasn't meant as my submission but I found it amusing; Depay, Mata, Schneiderlin, Smalling, Rooney, Schweinsteiger, and several before them including Neville, Howard and Gibson. Feeder club or retirement home?

My submission was meant to be about the way Managers seem to sign only their fellow countrymen. It probably doesn't stand any sort of scrutiny but it seemed like Houllier and Benitez over the park filled their teams with French and Spanish respectively. Martinez was rumoured to have good Spanish contacts, Deulofeu. Van Gaal went Dutch at Old Trafford after Moyes tried to buy some of our finest and now Depay to join Stekelenburg.

Gordon Brexit!

Bob Parrington
48 Posted 14/11/2016 at 05:36:14
Mmmmm! Anthony! Just heard that Fellaini is likely to leave Man Utd in either the January or the summer window. Would you have him back? He probably would not be a popular choice but he has been playing quite well this season.

Watching Depay last season, I was completely unimpressed with his decision-making. Mind you, Di Maria didn't impress for the same reason while he was with Man Utd.

Ray Roche (#19) has put it well. Put another way: "Remember what we need and don't be deflected from that task just because other players become available, who may be OK but don't fit the strategy" – that is wasting dosh that can be used to pick off the targets.

Albert Perkins
49 Posted 14/11/2016 at 06:28:47
Mark (#14),

"I remember not so long ago when we had Arteta on one wing and Pienaar on the other wing in their prime. I'd love us to sign two consistent players like them."

Both of these players were moved on because they were not performing. At Everton they found a new lease on life.

Richard Lyons
50 Posted 14/11/2016 at 06:31:16
"He needs to play more games."

So do Tom Davies et al... I think we have sufficient wingers; I'd rather see the youngsters in the squad get the games they need.

Erik Dols
51 Posted 14/11/2016 at 08:24:04
The lad has huge bags of potential/talent, the big question is if he has the mentality to fulfil it consistently. I have seen him rip teams apart on his own. Not only in the Dutch league, I can remember a Champions League play-off match against AC Milan where he was the best player on the pitch by far. He also scored twice in the World Cup. But I have also seen matches where he couldn't be bothered (or so it appeared).

Don't mind if we sign him, don't mind if we don't sign him. There's just one thing... You just know that, if we do sign him, he'll turn out to be the next Drenthe... and, if we don't sign him, he'll turn out to be the next Overmars for another team – to stay with the Dutch analogies.

Anthony Dwyer
53 Posted 14/11/2016 at 10:02:18
Bob (#48),

People may call me small-minded, but to answer your question honestly, YES, I'd take Fellaini. I believe he and Gana would be solid in centre mid.

Fellaini is underestimated IMO, he's the type of player people just like to rip in to simply because of the way he looks, and the tactics he's deployed to use under orders from managers.

Barry is close to the end leaving us without what's better known as an arl arse; Fellaini could fill that void very well.

I'm sure many blues will pull me apart for this, but before you do lads, please try to remember he started week-in & week-out for us when we punched well above our weight. Also look at the fact he plays all the time for Belgium, then have a think before you start typing.

Remember, I'm looking on ability not personality.

Trevor Peers
55 Posted 14/11/2016 at 10:21:56
Of course Fellaini would be welcomed back, he's useful in lots of ways, has presence, versatile, able to play in a number of positons, technically good work rate good and scores a few goals.

Name a midfielder we already have that can match him for all of that ? There isn't one.

Question is: Would he want to come back? I doubt it.

Brian Furey
56 Posted 14/11/2016 at 11:47:06
Fellaini does get a hard time from the fans but, as Anthony (#53) said above, the lad has been a regular in the Belgium team and was played most of the time by Moyes, LvG and now quite often by Jose. I'd be surprised if Man Utd let him go though, as he's a handy player to have around.

Lots of you are complaining we don't want to be a club signing Man Utd rejects. What you seem to be forgetting is that often the bigger clubs, like Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea, sign the better players out in the market for bigger money and then – if they don't perform like they expected – they loan them out, like Lukaku or Deulofeu, or sell them on.

A lot of players we've got over the years have been like that. Some have worked out; some have not... but I think most do as they become a big fish in a smaller pond and feel a lot more appreciated by the fans. Man Utd seem to have a lot of players at the moment that were great players before they were signed but are now struggling.

Even if we have millions to spend on players from now on, it will still be hard to persuade the top players to come to Everton rather than the top four clubs who are always in the Champions League. Hopefully in 5 years time that will have all changed but for now we are lucky to have a world class striker in our team, even if a lot of people don't like his attitude and think we're better without him.

Geoff Evans
57 Posted 14/11/2016 at 12:50:41
Anthony (#53): I agree with you, I'd have him back today. He's a damn site more competitive and mobile option than one that's regularly occupying a shirt in our present midfield.


Tom Bowers
58 Posted 14/11/2016 at 13:39:09
Every manager has his own preferences and a few players at Man Utd have had complaints about their roles over the last few years. I seem to remember Rooney being pissed off after being told to play a deeper role.

Sometimes a player responds to a new manager and Koeman seems bent on going for this guy... so, if it is to be, let's hope the gaffer can get the best out of him at Everton.

Fellaini has been playing much better of late but still can't tackle properly but it has to be said – neither can a few at Everton currently.

I agree that we cannot fairly judge Koeman just yet even though there doesn't appear to be any improvement over recent seasons. We shall see if they have the mettle to bounce back big-style against a poor Swansea side after the debacle at the Bridge.

John Pierce
59 Posted 14/11/2016 at 14:15:49
No problem with Fellaini, he wanted to go to Man Utd and try a step up and, despite the negative press he attracts, has scored several important goals for United.

Everton have been looking for a player to bring Lukaku into the game, Play Fellaini as a No 10 and we might have something.

Playing him in midfield chokes the play and slows it down. The fella can bring the ball down and attract players too him; anything flicked on or nudged through would play to Lukaku's strengths.

Would be a good return if used properly.

On a slightly different tact, Koeman's public pronouncements both on Rom and coveting other players smacks of a manager searching for answers quickly. A little desperate, me thinks.

Depay is too greedy, doesn't offer width as his need to be selfish, cut in and shoot, overrides any team ethic he has. So one-dimensional is he that, very quickly, EPL defenders just showed him outside and his output died off. We've seen little of him since then with a suspect attitude not busting a gut to get back in a mediocre United side

Swerve!!!

Anto Byrne
60 Posted 14/11/2016 at 15:17:25
Let's just wallop Swansea and get back on track. We need a clear out in January but I doubt it will happen. I expect a successful season will be an improvement on 13th.
John Pickles
61 Posted 14/11/2016 at 15:59:15
Maybe we should change our name to Last Chance Saloon FC.
Tony Twist
63 Posted 14/11/2016 at 17:06:57
Not the type of player we need. We need a quality central midfielder, dare I say, a Roy Keane type, not that there are any of those type of players around now. Someone who will scare the opposition and just as important his team mates.

Man enough to tell the so-called stars what's what and bring them into line. That influence would make all the difference. We also need a striker not a Number 2 striker or a Number 10, an out-and-out striker.

Paul Conway
64 Posted 14/11/2016 at 18:34:30
He is head and shoulders above Barkley in stature and work rate. The best part is, he does not have any potential to realise.
Mike Gaynes
65 Posted 14/11/2016 at 19:28:58
Trevor Peers (#55), much as I liked Fellaini here, I'd take Schneiderlin over him. Mourinho disagrees, which may make Schneiderlin available, and I'm all for that.

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