Depay had an average game against Cadiz. He was very active but failed a few times and could not score a goal despite having big chances.
Lots of the problems in the team
Among the myriad of problems that Barcelona have, there is one that could go unnoticed but which has become evident in the recent slip-ups by Ronald Koeman’s team. It is the burden that, out of necessity, Barcelona’s play has placed on Memphis Depay. It may be presumptuous to focus on the Dutch forward when he is almost the only thing that has been exciting at the start of the season.
What we are trying to point out here is a problem of concept, of the role he plays and what he shouldn’t be doing. Memphis is not the player who should change the speed of play in attack. He is not a playmaker. In the current circumstances, without wingers to run in behind, like Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele, and without Frenkie de Jong getting forward as often as he usually likes, his own teammates think of Memphis as the difference maker. And that is where the Dutchman stops being a top player.
Winger can’t take all the responsibilities
It is true that Memphis was originally a winger who liked to dribble and was very quick. With that style he ended up joining Manchester United. The years, however, have transformed him into a No.9, not a pure No.9 but rather a finishing specialist. His shot is his best weapon. His repertoire is very wide when it comes to finishing moves, not starting them. He is a good player, that’s about it. And it has become customary in recent games, probably out of a logical sense of responsibility on the part of the player himself, for Memphis to move away from the box.