5 most overrated footballers in the world right now (2021)

#3 Memphis Depay (Lyon)

Memphis Depay in action for the Netherlands

Memphis Depay's contract with Lyon expires in the summer and he will not be short of suitors if he decides to leave the Ligue 1 giants, with Barcelona heavily linked.

Depay joined Lyon from Manchester United in January 2017 for a fee of £14.5 million, and has been Lyon's superstar since his arrival. A versatile forward, the Netherlands international has made 35 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 19 goals and providing 10 assists.

10 - Memphis Depay (19 goals, 10 assists) is the first player to score at least 10 goals and deliver at least 10 assists in Ligue 1 this season. Twofold. #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/mcOMKOyYdr

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 2, 2021

However, it remains to be seen whether Depay can carry this sensational form into a tougher league. The 27-year old was regarded as a youngster with high potential during his PSV Eindhoven days, and scored 22 league goals in his final season in the Eredivisie, earning a move to Manchester United.

With the Old Trafford outfit though, Depay only managed 2 league goals in 18 months for the Red Devils and was subsequently sold to Lyon.

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#2 Rodrygo (Real Madrid)

Rodrygo celebrates a goal for Real Madrid

In recent transfer windows, there has been a marked change in how Real Madrid spend their money. The focus has been on signing young talents capable of developing into some of the best players in the world.

Rodrygo's acquisition is one such example. The Brazil international was signed from Santos in 2019 for an eye-watering fee of £40.5 million. This was not the first time Real Madrid had spent such an amount on a young Brazilian, having already signed Vinicius Junior from Flamengo in 2018 for £40.5 million.

Rodrygo has enjoyed some good moments for Real Madrid, but has not been a consistent force. The 20-year old is extremely young and is still developing, but Real Madrid's constant acquisition of young stars means that there is little time to acclimatize and stake a claim in the senior squad.

Rodrygo has made 8 starts in La Liga this season, providing five assists.

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#1 Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)

Joao Felix before an Atletico Madrid game

There is no denying Joao Felix's talent, but the fact that Atletico Madrid paid a club-record fee of £114.5 million in 2019 means that the pressure on him has been immense from the get go.

Felix's breakthrough season with Benfica saw clubs across Europe sit and take notice. Atletico Madrid managed to sign him, but eyebrows were raised at the transfer fee and whether or not the 21-year old would be able to perform in a Diego Simeone system.

No disrespect to Diego Simeone and his accomplishments as a manager, but paying €126 million for João Félix and then putting him in a Simeone team is like buying 200 solar panels and then moving to Barrow, Alaska.

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) March 17, 2021

There are still doubts as to whether Felix and Simeone are the correct fit. The arrival of experienced Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has resulted in Simeone placing his trust on the former Barcelona man. Felix has made 14 starts in La Liga this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

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