June 19th 2024.
Joshua Zirkzee is a talented 23-year-old Dutch striker who has caught the attention of top clubs, including Manchester United. He stands at an impressive 6ft 4in and is known for his physical dominance on the field. But who is he and why is he so highly rated?
To answer these questions, let's take a closer look at his career, his skills, and his role models in football. Zirkzee's journey started in Schiedam, where he played for various Dutch clubs before being signed by Feyenoord's youth team. In 2017, he was recruited by German giants Bayern Munich, where he spent two years in their academy and also played for their reserve team.
In 2019, Zirkzee was promoted to Bayern Munich's first team but only made 17 appearances before being sent on loan to Parma and Anderlecht. It was during his time at Anderlecht where he truly made a name for himself, scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists in 47 games. This impressive performance earned him a permanent move to Bologna in Italy, where he has continued to shine with 14 goals and nine assists in 58 appearances. In 2024, he was even crowned Serie A's Best Young Player.
Though he has yet to make his debut for the Netherlands national team, Zirkzee has played at every level from U15 to U21 and is currently in the squad for Euro 2024. So what makes him so highly rated? Apart from his physical dominance, Zirkzee is also known for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, technical proficiency, and versatility on the field. He is a key player in Bologna's attacking strategy, often dropping deep to make wide passes and create chances for his team.
It's no surprise that top clubs are vying for Zirkzee's signature. Apart from Manchester United, Italian teams AC Milan and Inter Milan have also shown interest, while Arsenal has been linked to him as well. In fact, AC Milan was reportedly willing to trigger his release clause, but negotiations have hit a snag over the player's agent's fee. Inter Milan's vice-president even went as far as saying that Zirkzee would be a useful addition to any great team aiming for important goals. However, former Netherlands manager Frank de Boer has urged Zirkzee to consider joining Arsenal, praising their patience and trust in young players.
Manchester United's interest in Zirkzee dates back to 2017 when the player was just 16 years old and playing for Feyenoord's academy. Six years later, the club reignited their interest in him, but Bologna's chief Marco Di Vaio managed to keep hold of him in the January transfer window. However, with United and other top clubs showing increasing interest, it seems like Zirkzee's future lies in a major move.
When it comes to his idols in football, Zirkzee looks up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gabriel Batistuta, according to his former manager and current Juventus boss Thiago Motta. But Motta also sees glimpses of Ronaldinho in Zirkzee's style of play, though he believes that the young striker is truly one of a kind.
In conclusion, Joshua Zirkzee is a highly talented and sought-after player who has proven himself at both club and international levels. It remains to be seen which club he will ultimately choose, but one thing is for sure - he has a bright future ahead of him in the world of football.
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