Tuesday, 12th August, 2014
Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit is hoping that winger Memphis Depay remains with PSV Eindhoven this summer, despite strong interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Depay enhanced his reputation in the Eredivisie last term before springing onto the international stage at the World Cup under Louis van Gaal this summer, helping the Oranje to a finish of third in Brazil.
The spotlight has been shone onto the young winger, who is now hot property.
But Gullit feels it is too soon for Depay to take the leap abroad, pointing to the example of countrymen Karim Rekik and Nathan Ake as proof of what happens when a Dutch starlet moves to the Premier League too soon.
"His peers, such as Karim Rekik or Nathan Ake, prove how it can go if you do not play at clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City", Gullit told the Algemeen Dagblad.
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"You can fall behind in just two years.
"Depay has clearly come back with confidence from the World Cup. But I hope that he stays at PSV", Gullit added.
The former AC Milan star also lamented the lack of senior professionals to guide young talents in the Eredivisie, with Dutch football having been mercilessly raided by richer foreign leagues.
"When I think back to my early days, when I was as young as Depay, I learned from fellow players who had children.
"These were the men who put me on the horse and also knocked me down when needed. Who will do that now with Depay? All the players he looks up to as examples all play abroad."
Depay has made a solid start to the new campaign with PSV, scoring three goals in the last two games.
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