Bruno Genesio ‘confident’ about Memphis Depay’s future at Lyon

Lyon coach Bruno Genesio has defended Memphis Depay’s recent dip in form and backed the former Manchester United man to come good again.

Depay, 23, joined Lyon from United in January, and after settling in he enjoyed a rush of five goals and two assists in six Ligue 1 matches.

However, since scoring a stunning goal from the centre circle against Toulouse on 12 March, Depay has failed to score in his last four league matches, although he has provided two further assists.

Genesio understands why Depay, who made just four brief substitute appearances for United this season, has struggled of late, and has faith that the Netherlands international will prove productive in the club’s remaining four league matches of the season.

“I think it’s normal for a player who didn’t have a lot of competitive games for eight or nine months, that there is a period where he is very good. Because you’re fresh mentally and physically,” Genesio said.

“It’s normal that after that period there is a dip and that you’re less good. It’s like a player coming back from injury. He continues working, he listens. We talk regularly with him, I’m confident for the future.”

Depay has immersed himself in life in France, working at the club without a translator as he attempts to learn French quickly while his teammates and coach speak to him in their native tongue mixed with English to get their message across.

Having featured for United in the Europa League in the first half of the campaign, Depay has been unable to contribute to his new club’s run to the semifinals of the competition, and watched the dramatic quarterfinal penalty shoot-out win over Besiktas from a bar with OL fans.

 Genesio highlighted Depay’s frustration at not being involved while his teammates enjoy major European nights.

“He’s very easy to deal with. The difficulty he has is that he’s not involved in the European games and that weighs on him a lot,” Genesio, whose team head to the Netherlands to face Ajax in their semifinal first leg next Wednesday, said.

“When we leave, he stays alone here to train with the reserve team. That’s not easy in terms of motivation and training.”