Joshua Zirkzee
Future striking sensation
The young Dutch striker has been making waves across the football world and have eventually caught Man Utd. In fact, in the last half hour, James Ducker of The Telegraph reports that United are willing to trigger his release clause of £33.8m.
It looks like United are not playing games on bringing in another striker.
Zirkzee’s rise came from his exploits last season in Italy which is why there has been so much hype around this player.
What’s he all about then?
Player Profile
The centre-forward currently plays for Bologna in Serie A which is where he’s been for the past 2 seasons.
At 23-years-old, he still has a way to go in his career and to reach his prime. Zirkzee is definitely one for the future. He also stands at 1.93m which makes him a big guy.
The Dutchman is valued at €50m by Transfermarkt and has a release clause of €40m. However, his agent Kia Joorabchian is asking for €15m in commissions! That could be a problem in this potential deal.
The 23-year-old’s contract in Italy expires in June 2026.
In his professional career, Zirkzee has played a total of 126 first-team football matches scoring 36 goals. Not the most eye-catching of numbers although for Bologna last season, he featured in 37 matches scoring 12 goals and assisting on 7 occasions. That is not a bad return for the young forward showing that he has potential.
I didn’t know this but he has won a few trophies, and a few BIG ones at that.
During his time at Bayern Munich a few years ago (didn’t know he played there either), he won 3 Bundesliga titles, 1 Super Cup and 1 Champions League, as well as several others.
That would do him some good to be playing at that level and winning such trophies.
Style of Play
Zirkzee isn’t like a traditional striker in that he prefers to float all about the attack and drop deep at times. He also likes to move out wide and more than anything, enjoys to receive the ball into feet.
This is where we see the best of Zirkzee as he is an excellent dribbler. The Dutch forward, who was recently called up to the national squad for the Euros despite not being included in the initial squad, does have some nifty footwork and skills. He also has a great touch on him with his then Bologna manager Thiago Motta saying that Zirkzee reminded him of his former teammate Ronaldinho 🤙.
Some serious praise there.
He is quite tall (1.93m) with a strong build and has said that his ‘gift’ is his technique.
An aspect of his game that I also like is his ability to press. We know that in the modern day how important the pressing is from the front and Zirkzee certainly knows how to do that. Despite being a striker, another attribute of his game is that he is a good tackler, something one doesn’t often associate with a number 9.
However, while all of this is good, being prolific up front isn’t one of his major strengths. Zirkzee has a 57% conversion rate from big chances and like I said, his goal scoring record isn’t the strongest even though he had an improved campaign in 23/24. It is in fact an area where he says he needs to improve as he would ‘like to be more selfish’.
He very much reminds me of a false 9 more than an out-and-out goal scorer.
Suitability to United
The first thing to note is that ability to press from up front. As oppositions do want to build up from the back, a striker who can put pressure on the opponents in the correct way is absolutely essential. Joshua Zirkzee certainly ticks that box.
United with Andre Onana in goal do like to take the more direct route at times. For this, a focal point is needed, one who is tall, big and strong. This is something else that we can add to the Zirkzee repertoire.
As he resembles more of a false 9 rather than traditional striker, that gives United a different dynamic up top.
Zirkzee likes to drop deep and go out wide which can attract opposition defenders to him creating spaces for others like Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho to run into.
The brilliant dribbling skills he possesses also gives MUFC something different as that ability to run with the ball at speed is not an attribute held by many especially centre-forwards.
While Rasmus Hojlund does like to come short or drift out wide at times, he is more a striker who does do the traditional. He lays it off, plays one-twos and brings others into play rather than turn with the ball and run at defenders.
Hojlund also likes to run the channels and use his runs to create spaces for teammates.
There are some similarities to his game and Zirkzee’s but also a few differences that can give United something a little different in attack.
But we must address that one major elephant in the room: the wingers.
It is all well and good that it appears that Zirkzee could suit Erik ten Hag’s style, but what’s the point in the club bringing in another striker if he is to receive a lack of service?
This is an issue we’ve faced over many years with Rasmus Hojlund being the latest victim of this selfishness from the wide players. They don’t create nearly enough for the striker which leads to fewer chances created and goals scored.
United’s goal difference last season sits at an embarrassing -1.
The question will be asked if whether ten Hag can deploy both Hojlund and Zirkzee up front. While it is not entirely outrageous, there will have to be significant changes to the team, formation and having to leave out a key player.
Is that something that Erik ten Hag will want to risk in such a pivotal season for him?
Injury History
As you can see, he hasn’t had anything too serious over the course of his short career but Zirkzee does pick up the odd knock here and there.
Some of the muscle injuries could be something to keep a close eye on though, as for a big lad like him, that could potentially be a problem area.
Final Thoughts
This deal then has a lot of green flags. Erik ten Hag seems to want him (as per some reports) and as of recent news over the past 18 hours, it looks like Zirkzee wants to move to United as well.
What gives me more indication of this is that Zirkzee is willing to give United a discount on that €15m commission fee to his agent while he was willing to do so for AC Milan who were the favourites to sign the forward.
I do like him and he has a lot of good attributes. He’s young and can stay for the long-term as well as give us another (and different) striking option. We need that rotation up front and Zirkzee will also provide healthy competition for Rasmus Hojlund, which is always welcome.
I would take him at United especially for that asking price of €40m to €50m.
