Joshua Zirkzee is different. At 6’4″, he looks like a target man but has the feet of a playmaker and the pace to run the chains. Manchester United are among many clubs wondering if this unique skill set is exactly what they need.
At 23, Zirkzee enjoyed a breakthrough season with Bologna, helping the Italian club qualify for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 60 years. He was rewarded with a late call-up to Ronald Koeman’s Dutch squad for Euro 2024.
The numbers are impressive. Zirkzee ranked among the top 10 players in Serie A last season for goals from open play, chances created from open play and successful dribbles. This is only a hint at the overall threat he poses to opposition defences.
Zirkzee has proven to be a scorer and goal creator in Serie A.
But it’s not just about numbers, it’s also about potential and a player whose profile is difficult to reproduce on the market. He’s taken a big step forward recently, but he’s long been identified as someone capable of things others aren’t.
Zirkzee joined Bayern Munich at just 16 years old, scoring in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain at 17. He scored four goals in the Bundesliga but struggled to find his way as a teenager. It was a step forward for him physically but also psychologically.
“He went there very young and that can sometimes be a problem for the players,” explains Willem Weijs. Aerial sports. “They believe it’s all about skills, scoring goals and playing good football, but professional football demands other things from players.”
Weijs speaks in general terms but knows his game better than anyone who has been part of the coaching staff at Anderlecht, the club Zirkzee joined on loan from Bayern for the 2021/22 season. This was the season in which the boy became a man.
“What professional football demands of you mentally and physically is something different from youth football,” says Weijs. “It was clear that he was really talented but he had to make a transition. This season at Anderlecht helped him a lot.”
Under Vincent Kompany, Zirkzee scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists. Weijs speaks of a volcano ready to erupt. “It was hard at the beginning because the Belgian teams were trying to make it a really physical fight. But in the end he got used to it. He exploded.”
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Could Manchester United be about to make a move for Zirkzee?
Weijs worked closely with him as Anderlecht de Kompany opted for a mentoring system. Each member of the coaching staff was assigned a small group of players and Zirkzee was a natural choice as a fellow Dutchman abroad. It still took time.
“I had to work hard to build this relationship and earn his trust because he wasn’t too open at first. He needs to feel love. He wants to be respected. But when you invest in this relationship with him and he feels like he can trust you, he opens up.”
Weijs remembers conversations about other sports. “He’s a big basketball fan.” And longer discussions about his game and career. “We were watching clips, talking about his confidence, his role on the team, that sort of thing.”
After seeing it up close, what makes it so good?
“He has a good physique but that is his talent. His technical abilities in small spaces are truly spectacular. He is so comfortable with the ball. His first touch is always soft. This means he lets himself go a lot time to find solutions in complicated situations.
His technical abilities in tiny spaces are truly spectacular.
He has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to his size, skills and flair. Third in Serie A for layoff passes last season highlights his hold-up play. At Anderlecht, he impressed his teammates with his finishing during training.
“He was exceptional at the end,” says Weijs.
Zirkzee impressed during his loan season at Anderlecht under Vincent Kompany
During the second half of this season in Belgium, it became clear that Zirkzee had learned everything he could from the experience. “The training sessions at Anderlecht became too easy for him. It was really clear that he was ready for the next step.”
Next stop was Bologna. This was a return to Serie A, where he had previously endured a much less successful loan spell with Parma, making only four substitute appearances. Not everyone was convinced it was the right decision. “I had some doubts,” admits Weijs.
He needn’t have worried. Bologna was the right club. Zirkzee has flourished this season, a key part of one of the most exciting teams in European football. “I think he had a really good coach, too.” Thiago Motta took it to another level.
In particular, Zirkzee has significantly improved his work off the ball, becoming a force in the non-football game. Playing in a pressing team, he ranked first in Serie A for high turnovers last season and second for possession gained in the final third.
“This is a small example of the transition I was talking about – from young player to professional player. It means hard work, mentality, growth mindset, transition play, intensity. Looking back, we can only say that Bologna was the perfect stop for him.”
What’s the next step ? Milan are considered favorites, but United have the money to snap them up and the next Ibrahimovic would certainly appeal to both clubs. A player who can press high, hold the ball and score goals will always be in demand.
“Now there is a lot of interest,” says Weijs. The volcano has erupted.
