COMMENT: Wonder goals. Record merchandise sales. After his failure to launch in England, have we all underestimated Memphis Depay?
At Lyon, Memphis has found a home. Appreciation. Support. But it's not been all one way traffic. As much as Jean-Claude Aulas, OL's president, and coach Bruno Genesio have been quick to defend the Dutchman against any hint of local criticism, Memphis has also done his bit to justify such backing. And something, we can argue, that was never fully appreciated in England.
By his own admission, Aulas was surprised by how open and generous a personality Memphis is.
"He's a good surprise, we had been expecting not to see this for three months, he had told us because he had played very little," recalls Aulas of the Dutchman's first days. "He has already scored some goals and will score again. His personality too is a huge surprise as everyone tells me that he is really a chic guy and a boy who pulls up the whole club."
Among those goals was Memphis' wonder effort against Toulouse, evoking memories of his hero David Beckham - and for Aulas, someone even more significant.
"Once again, through what he showed, Memphis regaled us. He made an effort that Pele had missed, I do not remember what year. In any case, Bernard (Lacombe) did not fail to remind me," enthused Aulas.
"This is a sign of a very high class. He is the kind of player who makes the fans come to the stadium."
The support for Memphis has been unwavering. After his first goal, against Nancy, OL announced to fans they'd be featuring his No9 shirt in the club's museum. The attacker has been left in no doubt how much he is appreciated inside the club.
But the recognition goes further than what Memphis is offering on the pitch.
OL marketing chief Martial Nardone says: "His arrival created a craze among fans. This Wednesday, we had a signing session at the Parc OL shop with Memphis, and we had 1,500 people present."
Plans for his own line of clothing are already underway with the club's designers, something management knows Memphis is sure to embrace.
But where the dodgy threads and ridiculous Rolls had infuriated his critics in England and Holland, Memphis' character has been welcomed in Lyon. Aulas, particularly, appreciated news last week of his star man strolling around a city shopping centre in OL gear. Proudly wearing the club's shirt and chatting with locals, Memphis is showing no signs of the aloof character portrayed back home, nor the big head which became his reputation in England.
"It has been really good. Everyone is very kind to me and helps me integrate quickly," says Memphis. "I am always looking for a house to settle in, for the moment, I still live in a hotel. On the other hand, I had the opportunity to go to a few restaurants and I really liked it."
This isn't the personality we saw at United. At least, not the one we learned of through the prism of the local media. Those close to Memphis did try to break through and this column revealed last year how he would hit the road for late night runs whenever Louis van Gaal left him in the stands. For all the show, this is a serious professionalism - as was confirmed this week by news of Memphis working with stats experts SciSports.
Memphis, when weighing up where to go in January, employed SciSports to identify the best league and club for his style of game. And the boffins came up with Lyon. Cleary, they know what they're talking about.
Adding credence to the revelation, was Aulas recently admitting OL had actually been outbid by PSG for Memphis, only for the United No7 to choose them.
“We were outbid by PSG at the last minute," revealed the president. Yet Memphis chose OL. Not exactly the actions of the man we see in the English and Dutch press.
But the skeptics remain at home in Holland.
Recalled to Danny Blind's Oranje squad this week, for Memphis, it was like nothing had changed. The local media were cutting him no slack.
After apparently blanking reporters on the first day of training, the backlash was immediate - and brutal.
"He pulls his hood on and is too big for an interview?" sighed one journalist. "I'm getting a little sick of it. He's played well for Olympique Lyon three times and so he's again Mister Big Star."
Another went even further, "I think the KNVB needs to act against this. He must be in front of the camera. This cannot continue."
But Memphis did front up later in the week and after three months of good press and great form, he clearly was in no mood to take a step back.
"People should look beyond their noses," he began.
"It's not fair. I want to say this, otherwise it will not be reported. Monday I was suddenly being arrogant. While Quincy Promes, one of my best friends, was behind me and also said nothing. Like many players, we laugh about it. But was it not mandatory? Official media times, such as now, I speak quietly to you. I even heard that the KNVB had to intervene. So I think to myself, 'come on guys'..."
Which really should be the message. This is a 23 year-old pro. Three months into a new career, where he has extended himself on and off the pitch to make the most of a new opportunity.
The fashion and the tatts may rub some up the wrong way, but given the way he's taken to OL - and OL have taken to him - Memphis Depay deserves a second look as a serious, serious professional.
