Netherlands were dealt a huge blow to their Euro 2020 hopes when Virgil van Dijk declared himself unavailable for selection because of this ACL injury.
The Liverpool centre-back was the Oranje’s one player who could claim to be among the top three in their position globally.
But you would be a fool to dismiss them as a one-man team.
Frank de Boer has an array of talented players at his disposal, though some individuals are still blooming while others possess mercurial qualities.
That brings us neatly to Memphis Depay.
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With Van Dijk out of the picture, the 27-year-old forward may take it upon himself to be his country’s talisman this summer, the one man to bind together a squad of precocious youth and maverick flair.
Depay has been outstanding for Lyon this season with 20 goals and ten assists in Ligue 1 to his name.
No player in the French top flight has provided more assists and only Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals.
The Dutchman is out of contract at Lyon this summer and is said to be in negotiations with Barcelona over a free transfer.
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Depay will be Netherlands’ primary goal threat at Euro 2020 – although Gini Wijnaldum has proved a reliable goalscorer at international level in recent times too.
The former has 23 goals in 62 caps overall but 18 of those goals have come in his last 30 appearances – his reinvention as a centre-forward has worked wonderfully so far.
Many fans on these shores will forever associate Depay with an underwhelming stint at Man United.
Aside from a handful of notable appearances in European competition, there wasn’t much to celebrate from his time with the Red Devils – he scored just two goals in 33 Premier League appearances.
The Depay we’ve seen at Lyon is reminiscent of the exciting prospect who turned heads at PSV.
Cynics may say his success in the Eredivise and Ligue 1 is an indication he does not quite have the ability to cut it at the very highest level.
However, his efforts in the Champions League and at international level in recent times suggest otherwise.
Since joining Lyon he’s scored international goals against Portugal, Germany and France.
Depay scored six goals in eight games in the Champions League last season as the French side made it to the semi-finals, eliminating Pep Guardiola’s Man City in the process.
Van Dijk may be absent but with Wijnaldum, Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Matthijs de Ligt supporting an in-form Depay, Netherlands will hope to top Group C ahead of Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia and go from there.
And Dream Team Euros gaffers are evidently tempted by the idea of Depay spearheading their XI.
At £4.5m he’s not among the top-bracket, budget-busting group of forwards which makes him an good option for those who want to save a bit of cash for some premier options in other positions.
Depay is currently more popular than Marcus Rashford, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
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WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play