MEMPHIS DEPAY – the man with "Dream Chaser" tattooed on his chest – has revealed his latest goal is to become one of the world's greatest players with Manchester United.
In his first appearance in England since agreeing a £25million move to Old Trafford as soon as the transfer window opens, he took to the stage to say that he sees his permanent arrival in the country as a chance to reach the very highest level in the game.
Speaking at the launch of Under Armour's new Speedform football boot at Vinopolis in Borough Market, Depay revealed: "'Dream chaser' stands for me chasing my dreams. I believe I can be one of the best players in the world and I have to dream and believe to achieve. It is tattooed on my chest."
However, putting actions into words is not normally so simple. Having first broken onto the world stage with his performances in Van Gaal's Dutch team which finished third in Rio, Depay shunned overtures from Tottenham last season and has led PSV to the Dutch title instead and is a game away from being crowned the Eredivisie's top scorer.
"I don't have a secret – you just have to work every day on your dreams," he said. "My dreams started with going to the World Cup and then when I was there I scored two goals - becoming the youngest ever Dutch goalscorer – and I was very happy.
Memphis Depay has arrived in London following his £25m move
"But when the World Cup was finished I realised that was not it. I had to take more onto the pitch – there was more to do.
"So after the World Cup in pre-season I spoke to my manager and said I have to keep focused. Scoring in the World Cup was good but not the end of it. Now I am on fire."
A discussion with new club manager Van Gaal helped edge him towards spending an extra year in Holland where he could further hone his skills rather than sit on the fat pay cheque a move to the Premier League at that stage could offer him.
"He is different," Depay said of Van Gaal. "His performance on the training ground is different from other trainers. After the World Cup he told me to stay hungry and I told myself to stay hungry. When I made the decision to stay I wanted to be champion and top scorer. I set those goals and I hope to achieve them.
Depay is Louis van Gaal's first summer signing
"It will be great to have an opportunity to train with him and work with him.
"I made the choice to stay an extra year together with my manager at PSV and the people around me. It was a good choice, I think?
We became champions in the Dutch league and with one more game left I can become top scorer. That’s a good choice, yeah?
"I have learned more every day. It is to do with how many games you play and how many situations you face on the pitch."
The scrutiny will be intense once he kicks off next season in a United shirt but the 21-year-old is confident he has the ability to cope.
The Premier League has been a mixed bag for Dutch internationals – some supreme successes and some disappointing failures. Depay believes he has done his homework.
"I want to improve myself by playing in England and it is unknown but Dutch players have played also in the Premier League and I spoke with many of them," he said. "Arjen Robben, for instance, is a good player and he helped me a lot with the international team.
"I believe I can be a big player in the Premier League - I showed my ability in the World Cup."
Whether he is given the coveted No 7 shirt at United – the same number he wears at PSV – has a lot to do with the future of Angel Di Maria. But even before he sets foot in Old Trafford his international colleagues are comparing him with one of the greatest United No 7s of all – Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I heard Leroy Fer speak about it and it is great to hear that from other players," Depay said. "If you read it in the media it is great, but I am 21 and I have not reached the level of Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a big hero for me and one day I hope to reach that level. He scores so many goals and I want to fight to be one of the best players in the world."
And Depay is not hiding – he is happy to be judged by Manchester United fans out-and-out on his goalscoring record.
"Statistics don't lie," he said. "I want to play every game as soon as possible and improve myself. But it is the result that counts, and scoring goals is the job. So for me that is really important because I am a striker.
"The manager needs me there to score goals. It is 60 per cent of the judgment of a player. If I don't score goals or get assists, I am not doing my job."
GETTY
Depay strolls through London before his Q&A
MEMPHIS ON HIS ODD HABIT OF NOT WEARING IN HIS BOOTS
Everybody likes new shoes! It is a new feeling going onto the pitch so it is great to be able to wear them straight out of the box. They are comfortable straight away and move with you. I could not do that with my old shoes. So every time I have a big match, I want new shoes straight out of the box.
MEMPHIS ON PLAYING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
I am very excited. I was always reading about the Premier League. It has been a big dream and one that came true. But is not the end of the dream, it is just starting.
MEMPHIS ON HIS DREAM GOAL AND CELEBRATION
It would be a free-kick in the right corner. The celebration? it is an emotional thing. The feeling on the pitch when I scored against Chile for example – I was like a flying Dutchman. Some players have their own celebration – I am still looking. Every time is different, but it is fun.
MEMPHIS ON HIS FREE-KICKS
Everybody watches free-kicks and when you watch them you enjoy them. You have got to learn how to shoot and connect with the ball and how to move your leg. For everybody it is different but if you want to score lots of goals then free kicks is an extra way to do that.
MEMPHIS ON HIS FAVOURITE POSITION
I like my position on the left wing but I can play on the right or in the middle. For me, it does not matter - I feel free on the left but my trainer at PSV gave me freedom to move inside – that is my preferred position.
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