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      PSG open talks for Dele Alli transfer after being dropped by Spurs boss Jose Mourinho

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have opened talks with Dele Alli over a stunning transfer, according to reports.
      The England midfielder, 24, was dragged off at half-time against Everton a week ago and has not made the last two matchday squads.

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      PSG are reportedly in talks to sign Dele Alli from TottenhamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That includes not being involved at all for the win at Southampton.
      And according to The Telegraph, PSG are hoping to take advantage with a plot to land the ex-MK Dons man.
      The French giants are thought to be long-term admirers of Dele.

      But it is unclear whether they would pursue a full permanent transfer or a loan with the option to buy – the latter is more likely.
      Dele – who signed for Tottenham in 2015 and has 62 goals in 223 appearances – was offered to Real Madrid as part of the deal which saw Gareth Bale return to White Hart Lane.
      Inter Milan are also showing interest in the playmaker, who looks to be out of Jose Mourinho’s immediate plans at Tottenham.
      But the chance to reignite his career alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at PSG would surely appeal to the 37-cap Three Lions star.

      Dele was hauled off at the break against Everton with ex-England international Gabriel Agbonlahor claiming that the pair had a bust-up prior to the match.

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      Jose Mourinho left the midfielder out against Lokomotiv Plovdiv and SouthamptonCredit: EPA

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      The two-time PFA Young Player of the Year did not even travel to Bulgaria for the Europa League qualifier against Lokomotiv Plovdiv on Thursday.
      And then he was reportedly left ‘upset and confused’ by his omission at St Mary’s.
      Commenting on his decision to leave Alli out, Mourinho said: “We have a huge squad, a squad with numbers that’s very difficult to manage.
      “I don’t have issues, it’s for me to be here with 18 players, I start with Son, with Lucas, with Harry, on the bench I have Sissoko and Lamela.
      “We have too many players for some positions and some of them are paying the price of this.”
      ‘COP OUT’
      Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle admits Jose Mourinho’s counter-attacking style does not suit Dele but insisted leaving is not the answer.
      Hoddle, 62, said: “That is the easy way out. That’s a cop out. He and Jose have to talk about it and he needs to adjust his game.
      “The manager picks the teams and the way you are going to play. You have to adjust to that.
      “I think he is capable of that but don’t down tools, pick up your tools and add to them.
      “Become a better player in a different way. I think that’s what he will do.”

      Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho will not confirm if Dele Alli is in future plans More

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      Ex-Chelsea winger Bertrand Traore signs for Aston Villa from Lyon in huge boost to Dean Smith’s side

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      ASTON VILLA have completed the signing of Bertrand Traore for a reported fee of £17million.
      The ex-Chelsea forward joins from Lyon on a four-year contract after passing a medical earlier in the week.

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      Bertrand Traore completed the move to Aston Villa after being persuaded by John TerryCredit: @AVFCOfficial

      Work permit delays set the deal back a couple of days but, on Saturday, Villa confirmed the deal.
      Dean Smith told the club website: “We’re delighted that Bertrand has chosen to come to Villa.
      “He’s a player with immense talent who will really enhance our attacking options.”

      Burkina Faso international Traore, 25, first moved to England as a teenager to join Chelsea’s academy.
      After a loan spell at Vitesse, the winger was seen as a huge prospect for the future and netted a wonderful long-range strike against Stoke in March 2016.
      However he failed to consistently impress and left for Ajax on loan, before a permanent move to Lyon.
      Traore played 126 times for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 33 goals, but was yet to play this season as talk of a move gained momentum.

      And the former Blues starlet accepted the move to Villa Park after being persuaded by assistant manager John Terry.

      Traore stated: “I played with JT at Chelsea, I spoke to him.
      “I spoke to the manager, spoke with the sporting director as well and some players I used to play with – [Marvelous] Nakamba and [Anwar] El Ghazi. I spoke to Nakamba, I talked to him a little bit about the club.
      “Many things made me take the decision to come here. I’m happy.”
      Traore is Villa’s fourth major signing of the window, joining Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins to take the club’s spending past £75m.

      New Aston Villa signing Emiliano Martínez talks about joining the club More

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      Chelsea transfer for Edouard Mendy confirmed by Rennes keeper’s agent as Lampard looks set to replace Kepa with £20m man

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      EDOUARD MENDY’S transfer to Chelsea has been confirmed by the Rennes goalkeeper’s agent.
      Frank Lampard looks set to replace error-prone No1 Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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      Edouard Mendy is on the verge of completing his £20m transfer from Rennes to ChelseaCredit: Rex Features

      And a £20million deal could be done as early as today.
      Mendy’s representative Djily Dieng told Senegalese newspaper Stades on Thursday: “The two parties have come to an agreement.
      “All that’s left is the formalisation. It could even be done tomorrow, if all goes well.
      “Afterwards, the player himself will come to finalise everything, including having his medical examination.”

      Mendy trained with his Rennes side on Thursday as they prepare to face Monaco in Ligue 1 tomorrow.
      But he would need to register as a Blues player by midday today in order to be eligible to face Liverpool on Sunday.
      Rennes, though, insist no deal is done just yet.
      Manager Julien Stephan said: “There are many discussions between Rennes and Chelsea but they have not yet concluded.

      “The idea is to have a quick final decision, one way or another.”

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      Despite spending a world-record £71.6m on Spaniard Arrizabalaga two years ago, he has largely failed to impress.
      And he was beaten by yet another long-range shot on Monday as he allowed Leandro Trossard’s effort go under him.
      Asked about potential incomings, especially in goal, Lampard said after the 3-1 win: “No news on that one [Mendy] at the minute.
      “Kepa’s here, he’s our keeper and I’m happy with him.
      “If we are bringing in competition, it will be competition, that’s the nature of Chelsea.”

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      Frank Lampard looks set to replace error-prone goalkeeper Kepa ArrizabalagaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Timo Werner says picking Chelsea over Liverpool was right decision and Frank Lampard talks were key More

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      Dele Alli ‘wanted by PSG and Inter Milan’ with Tottenham star left out of Europa League squad after Mourinho bust-up

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      DELE ALLI is being chased by Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan amid rumours of a rift with Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, reports claim.
      The England international started Sunday’s Premier League opener against Everton.

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      Alli had a disappointing season opener against EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But manager Mourinho hooked him at half-time as Spurs slumped to a dismal 1-0 defeat to the Toffees.
      And the Portuguese, 57, then dropped Alli from his travelling party altogether as Tottenham faced Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria.
      While Spurs managed to squeeze past the Bulgarian minnows late on, questions persist over Alli’s future in North London.

      According to the Mail Alli, 22, has long been on PSG’s radar – while Antonio Conte at Inter Milan has been an admirer since witnessing his exploits first-hand while Chelsea manager.
      Agreeing a deal in the wake of Covid-19 may be tricky, however, with Alli having been valued at £100million by Spurs chiefs not long ago.
      But should Tottenham decide to let him ago, they would prefer to flog him abroad so as to not strengthen a Premier League rival.
      It had been suggested that Alli could be included in a deal to bring Gareth Bale back to Tottenham.

      But Spurs managed to agree a loan for the Welshman without including their No20.

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      Conte witnessed Alli’s class first hand while manager of ChelseaCredit: EPA

      Rumours have been rife that Alli has fallen out with Mourinho, with ex-England international Gabriel Agbonlahor claiming that the pair had a bust-up prior to the Everton match.
      But Mourinho himself played down any such issues after the Everton defeat.
      He said: “Dele is a very polite guy, very calm. He’s a bit introspective, when you think a lot about things.
      “The way he reacted was Dele. It was quiet, sad, but in the end, after the game, he was just one of many.
      “And I never saw from him in here with myself, with the other players, everybody at the club, I never saw a strong reaction. A good boy. A really good boy.”

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      Dele Alli reveals he only learned how to cook baked beans while in lockdown as Tottenham ace says ‘it was easy’ More

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      PSG stars ‘losing faith’ in Thomas Tuchel with boss under huge pressure to save job following shocking start to season

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN stars are “losing faith” in manager Thomas Tuchel just a month after reaching the Champions League final, it’s claimed.
      The German led his side to victories over Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta and RB Leipzig on the way to the Lisbon showpiece.

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      Tuchel was in fiery mood as PSG took on Metz last nightCredit: AFP or licensors

      But just a few weeks on Tuchel, 47, finds himself under pressure after a poor start to the season.
      And prior to last night’s edgy late 1-0 win over Metz at Parc des Princes, RMC Sport claimed that a number of first-team players are wondering where the team is headed under Tuchel’s management.
      PSG lost their opening two Ligue 1 games, having been missing a number of key players who tested positive for Covid-19, including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
      The 1-0 defeats to RC Lens and Marseille brought about much criticism, with the French paper calling the atmosphere in PSG’s dressing room after the latter match “catastrophic”.

      PSG’s defeat to Marseille saw five players sent off across both teams, including Leandro Paredes, Layvin Kurzawa and the now-recovered Neymar.
      And Tuchel’s reliance on the Brazilian has also been mocked by other players, with some joking that his tactics consist only of, “Give the ball to Ney [Neymar], have to look for Ney.”
      ICARDI QUESTIONS
      Other questions have been raised surrounding Tuchel’s treatment of summer signing Mauro Icardi.
      PSG splashed £52million on making the Argentine’s loan move from Inter Milan permanent, after he scored 20 goals last season.

      But Tuchel didn’t draw upon the 27-year-old even once during the Champions League semi-finals or final defeat to Bayern Munich – with the pair’s relationship described by insiders as “cold”.
      The ex-Dortmund manager responded to speculation surrounding his future ahead of last night’s match with Metz.
      He said: “It is always like this. If he loses a final, he has to go, if he loses to Dortmund, he has to go. If he loses this, if he loses that, if he loses this… It is always like that.
      “This is not new. It is a sport here. You do this, not me. I do not read what is written about my future, I am calm.”

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      It then looked for long periods as if the pressure would further mount upon his shoulders during the match itself, with PSG struggling to find an opener without the suspended Neymar.
      And things could have gotten ugly in the 65th minute when Abdou Diallo became their latest star to be red-carded.
      But little-used midfielder Julian Draxler headed home three minutes into stoppage time at the end to hand Tuchel a much-needed 1-0 victory – getting PSG off the mark in Ligue 1.

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      PSG lost an ill-tempered match with Marseille on SundayCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Mauro Icardi has a ‘cold’ relationship with manager TuchelCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Julian Draxler spared PSG’s blushes with a late header against MetzCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Neymar Jr. aims to follow in Pele, Maradona and Cruyff’s footsteps as he ditches Nike for Puma after 15 years More

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      Neymar receives two-game ban for Alvaro punch as Ligue 1 opens investigation into PSG vs Marseille racism claims

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      NEYMAR has been hit with a two match ban for punching Marseille star Alvaro Gonzalez.
      Ligue 1 have also opened an investigation following the striker’s claim that he was racially abused.

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      Neymar was dismissed after he hit his rival in the back of the head Credit: Icon Sport – Getty

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      Neymar watched from the stands as beat Metz 1-0 on TuesdayCredit: AFP or licensors

      Neymar watched from the stands on Tuesday as PSG beat Metz 1-0 in the league.
      He was one of five players to receive a red card when a brawl kicked off after Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 defeat.
      Now all five of the stars involved have been hit with match bans.
      PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa has been banned for six matches for his part in the brawl.

      Leandro Paredes received the same punishment as Neymar, who has one additionsl game suspended on top.
      Marseille forward Dario Benedetto, whose challenge sparked the wild scenes, has been given a one-game ban while team-mate Jordan Amavi will miss the next three.
      Neymar was given his marching orders by VAR after he punched Alvaro in the back of the head.
      The former Barcelona star insisted he did after the Spanish defender allegedly racially abused him.

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      Chaos erupted on the ditch following Marseille’s 1-0 win over their rivalsCredit: Reuters

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      Neymar was one of five players that were sent off Credit: AFP or licensors

      Neymar – who has since been accused of calling Gonzalez a “f*****g q***r – claimed the Marseille star called him a “monkey son of a b****.”
      Alvaro issued a anti-racism statement on Twitter as he insisted: “There is no place for racism”.
      PSG backed Neymar following him claims – and French governing body LFP are now investigating the case.
      Neymar took matters into his own hands as he claimed on Twitter that Gonzalez is “not a man”, a “racist” and “I don’t respect you.”
      He issued a further statement on his Instagram story that explained he “revolted” and “could not leave without doing something”.
      Marseille released a statement on Monday that denied Gonzalez is racist following the brawl.

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      Neymar has claimed he was a victim of racist abuse Credit: AFP or licensors
      The French club revealed the 30-year-old has since received death threats.
      It read: “Alvaro Gonzalez is not racist, he demonstrated it to us by his daily behaviour since joining the club, and his team-mates have already testified.”
      Angel Di Maria is also set to appear in front of the LFP disciplinary committee following claims that he spat in the direct of Alvaro. More

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      Arsenal looking to follow up Aubameyang contract with double transfer swoop for Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar

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      ARSENAL are set to spend big again this summer with moves for Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar in the offing.
      The Gunners yesterday confirmed star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a bumper new three-year contract.

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      Arsenal want to sign Atletico midfielder Thomas Partey

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      Lyon’s Houssem Aouar is also on the Gunners’ radar

      And the North Londoners plan to keep splashing the cash in order to build a star-studded team around him.
      Atletico midfielder Partey, 27, has been linked with an Emirates switch for months.
      The Ghanaian ace is keen on the move and with Arsenal still interested, the Gunners could soon meet Atletico’s £50million asking price, according to the Mirror.
      Lyon’s French ace Aouar is slightly behind Partey in the priority list although Mikel Arteta is still keen.
      So Arsenal would have to offload some players to raise cash if they want to land the £40m rated 22-year-old as well.
      Backup goalkeeper Emi Martinez has signed for Aston Villa in a £20m deal.
      And the Gunners are looking to get even more fringe players off their books to fund any deals before the October 5 deadline.

      Sokratis, Lucas Torreira, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac are all up for sale.

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      Arsenal would have been locked in a relegation battle without Aubameyang in 2019-20

      The North Londoners are also willing to listen to offers for Matteo Guendouzi.
      SunSport understands Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Rob Holding were two considered up-for-grabs – with Wolves and West Ham interested respectively.
      But Arteta has had a change-of-heart over the pair, and wants to keep them after impressing in pre-season.
      The decision to splash out on the chunky deals for Aubameyang and Willian’s recent £220k-a-week move has attracted criticism after last month’s decision to make 55 staff members redundant, despite a coronavirus pandemic squad wage cut.

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      Aubameyang signs new £350k-a-week contract and says he wants to become an Arsenal legend More

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      The five changes Memphis Depay made to go from Man Utd nightmare to becoming Barcelona’s saviour

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      MEMPHIS DEPAY left Manchester United in January 2017, having failed to make an impact at Old Trafford.
      Viewed as an underwhelming presence in attack and, incorrectly as he has asserted, a party boy – few Red Devils fans were upset when they decided to take a £10million hit on shipping him out to Lyon.

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      Depay has developed into a consistent star at LyonCredit: Reuters

      But three-and-a-half years later Memphis, 26, looks a man reborn – diligently taking responsibility at Lyon and consistently producing superb performances.
      Some had written off the Dutch forward when United gave up on him after just 18 months, but such has been his turnaround that Barcelona are now on the brink of signing him for £28m – bringing him back to the big time.
      Let’s take a look at the factors that have seen him rise back to prominence in European football.
      ‘FEELING FREE’
      When Depay decided he wanted out of Old Trafford, he was mature beyond his 22 years in making sure that he made the right move.

      While many at the time felt that Lyon was quite a step down for the mercurial talent, Memphis himself was confident that he’d made the right call, largely down to the style of play he’d be able to fit into.
      Giels Brouwer, founder of sports analytics company SciSports, was consulted by Depay when looking for the best option.
      And he revealed on his Reddit: “The agent of Memphis asked us to visit Memphis in Manchester where he was living at that moment.

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      Depay appeared weight down at times at Old TraffordCredit: CarlRecine

      “I went there with two colleagues and we watched a Champions League game on his couch. In our discussion about the next step in his career, he was really open about what he wanted and didn’t want.

      “He wanted to play ‘more freely’, he wanted to be ‘important for the team’ and wanted to play in a big five competition with a coach that had a clear playing style.
      “We translated these questions into data searches. We looked for instance at his playing style at PSV and the Dutch national team and compared that with the playing style of Man United. We noticed that he was involved with a lot more defensive actions at Man United.”
      STAR STATUS

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      Skipper Depay is an undoubted star at LyonCredit: EPA
      Memphis started just one game in the first half of the 2016-17 season for United, with manager Jose Mourinho clearly feeling unable to depend on his talented star.
      And as Brouwer revealed, Memphis wanted to be “important” over almost anything – and he’s certainly been just that at Lyon.
      Such has been their reliance on him, particularly under current manager Rudi Garcia, that he has been given the captain’s armband.
      And rather than a rarely-used winger, Memphis is often now deployed as a central striker, shouldering much of Lyon’s attacking burden – particularly in the Champions League.
      Despite the emergence of ex-Celtic forward Moussa Dembele, Depay is the main man at Groupama Stadium, having scored 57 and assisted 43 goals in 140 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.
      Missing the talismanic Depay for much of last season with a ruptured cruciate ligament was a key factor in Lyon failing to qualify for Europe.
      PLAYING STYLE

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      The Dutchman thrives on being able to express himselfCredit: Offside
      Again as Brouwer cited, Depay wanted to “play with freedom” – not something always associated with being a Mourinho winger.
      He wanted to find a club in which he could find that comfort within a system, and he managed that at Lyon, initially under former manager Bruno Genesio.
      In April 2018 he told OLTV: “I think I’m at my best right now. I feel very free on the field. I have confidence, and that’s good. I don’t think too much about the pitch. I’m just enjoying the moment.
      “I’ve felt the difference since the beginning of the season. It’s important for me to play every match the best I can.
      “First and foremost, I want to play well. I want to be at my best every game. The rest will come naturally.”
      Mainly featuring centrally alongside one or both of strikers Karl Toko Ekambi and Dembele, Depay is given that “freedom” in abundance to make things happen for his side – hence his amazing output.
      MORE RESPONSIBILITY

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      Depay calmly ‘panenka’d’ a high-pressure penalty against Juventus last seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Depay was, perhaps unfairly, seen as a bit of a liability at Manchester United.
      From Wayne Rooney supposedly telling him not to turn up to Under-21 games in any “fancy stuff”, and allegations of being a “party boy” – Depay struggled at Old Trafford.
      But in an interview with The Times last month, he insisted: “I remember some of the quotes about me, like “party boy”. Pure lies.
      “I went out only once in one-and-a-half years in Manchester – and it wasn’t even fun.”
      Not only has Depay now fully matured into a brilliant player, but he also possesses leadership qualities in abundance – earning the captain’s armband at Lyon as well as the universal respect of his team-mates.
      And such is his manager Garcia’s admiration for his skipper, he recently said: “Aside from that, for a lot of my great players, if they have the option to join a club that is built to win the Champions League, and we came up against a few of them in the Champions League this year, I will personally take them there in my car.”
      INCREASED OUTPUT

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      Depay has contributed to 100 strikes (57 goals, 43 assists) at LyonCredit: Reuters
      As alluded to earlier, Depay’s output has increased immeasurably.
      Some will point to the step down in league, but his consistency should be absolutely nothing to be sniffed at.
      And he’s also delivered in Champions League pressure moments.
      At Manchester United he only managed seven goals and six assists in 53 games under Louis van Gaal and then Mourinho.
      But at Lyon he has contributed to a combined 100 goals in 140 outings.
      And last season he came of age in the Champions League too – scoring six times in eight appearances – including against RB Leipzig and Juventus.

      Olympique Lyonnais star Memphis Depay shows off his physique as he works out at his luxury villa More