Joshua Zirkzee is totally different. At 6’4”, he seems like a goal man however he has the ft of a playmaker and the tempo to run the channels. Manchester United are one in every of a variety of golf equipment questioning whether or not this distinctive ability set is simply what they want.
At 23, Zirkzee has loved a breakthrough season with Bologna, serving to the Italian membership to qualify for Europe’s elite competitors for the primary time in 60 years. He has been rewarded with a late call-up to Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for Euro 2024.
The numbers are spectacular. Zirkzee ranked among the many high 10 gamers in Serie A this previous season for targets from open play, possibilities created from open play and profitable dribbles. It’s only a trace on the all-around risk that he poses to opposition defences.
However that is about greater than these numbers, that is about potential too, and a participant whose profile is troublesome to copy out there. He has taken a giant step ahead lately however he has lengthy been recognized as somebody able to issues others are usually not.
Zirkzee moved to Bayern Munich aged simply 16, scoring in a pleasant fixture in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain at 17. He scored 4 Bundesliga targets however discovered it difficult to pressure his means in as a youngster. It was a step up for him bodily but additionally psychologically.
“He went at a very young age and that can sometimes be a problem for players,” Willem Weijs tells Sky Sports activities. “They believe that it is only about skills and scoring goals and playing nice football but professional football demands other things of players.”
Weijs is talking normally phrases however is aware of his recreation higher than most having been a part of the teaching workers at Anderlecht, the membership that Zirkzee joined on mortgage from Bayern for the 2021/22 season. It was the season during which the boy marvel grew to become a person.
“What professional football asks from you mentally and physically, that is another thing compared to youth football,” Weijs explains. “It was quite clear that he was really talented but he had to make a transition. That season at Anderlecht helped him a lot.”
Below Vincent Kompany, Zirkzee scored 18 targets and supplied 13 assists. Weijs talks of a volcano being able to erupt. “It was tough at the start because teams in Belgium try to make it a really physical battle. But in the end he became used to it. He exploded.”
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Might Manchester United be about to make a transfer for Zirkzee?
Weijs labored significantly intently with him as a result of Kompany’s Anderlecht went with a mentorship system. Each member of the technical workers was assigned a small group of gamers and Zirkzee was a pure match as a fellow Dutchman overseas. It nonetheless took time.
“I had to work hard to build that relationship and gain his confidence because he was not too open at first. He needs to feel the love. He wants to be respected. But when you invest in that relationship with him and he feels like he can trust you, he opens up.”
Weijs remembers conversations about different sports activities. “He is a big basketball fan.” And longer discussions about his recreation and his profession. “We would review clips, have discussions about his confidence, about his role in the team, those kind of things.”
Having seen him up shut, what makes him so good?
“He has a good physique but it is his skill. His technical abilities in tiny spaces are really spectacular. He is so comfortable on the ball. His first touch is always soft. That means he creates a lot of time for himself to find solutions in complicated situations.”
His technical skills in tiny areas are actually spectacular.
He has been in comparison with Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to his top, ability and aptitude. Rating third in Serie A for lay-off passes final season highlights his hold-up play. At Anderlecht, he wowed team-mates along with his ending throughout coaching classes.
“He was outstanding by the end,” says Weijs.
Zirkzee impressed throughout his season on mortgage at Anderlecht below Vincent Kompany
Throughout the second half of that season in Belgium, it grew to become apparent that Zirkzee had discovered all that he may from the expertise. “The training sessions at Anderlecht, they just became too easy for him. It was really clear that he was ready for the next step.”
That subsequent step was Bologna. It was a return to Serie A, the place he had beforehand endured a far much less profitable mortgage spell with Parma, making solely 4 substitute appearances. Not everybody was satisfied it was the correct transfer. “I had some doubts,” admits Weijs.
He needn’t have apprehensive. Bologna was the correct membership. Zirkzee has blossomed this season, a key element in one of the thrilling sides in European soccer. “I think he had a pretty good coach as well.” Thiago Motta has taken him to a different stage.
Specifically, Zirkzee has considerably improved his off-the-ball work, changing into a pressure within the recreation with out the soccer. Enjoying in a urgent staff, he ranked high in Serie A for prime turnovers this previous season and second for possession gained within the remaining third.
“That is a little example of the transition that I was talking about – from youth player to professional player. That is working hard, mentality, growth mindset, transition game, intensity. Looking back, you can only say that Bologna was the perfect step for him.”
What would be the subsequent step? Milan are seen as front-runners however United have the cash to make him theirs and the subsequent Ibrahimovic will surely enchantment to each golf equipment. A participant who can press excessive, maintain the ball up and rating targets will all the time be in demand.
“Now, there is a lot of interest,” says Weijs. The volcano has erupted.
