Joshua Zirkzee is completely different. At 6’4”, he seems like a goal man however he has the toes of a playmaker and the tempo to run the channels. Manchester United are one among plenty 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 prime 10 gamers in Serie A this previous season for objectives 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 tough to copy available in the market. He has taken a giant step ahead just lately however he has lengthy been recognized as somebody able to issues others will not be.

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 objectives however discovered it difficult to pressure his method in as a young person. It was a step up for him bodily but additionally psychologically.

“He went at a really younger age and that may generally be an issue for gamers,” Willem Weijs tells Sky Sports activities. “They consider that it is just about expertise and scoring objectives and enjoying good soccer however skilled soccer calls for different issues of gamers.”

Weijs is talking typically phrases however is aware of his sport 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 through which the boy marvel grew to become a person.

“What skilled soccer asks from you mentally and bodily, that’s one other factor in comparison with youth soccer,” Weijs explains. “It was fairly clear that he was actually proficient however he needed to make a transition. That season at Anderlecht helped him lots.”

Below Vincent Kompany, Zirkzee scored 18 objectives and supplied 13 assists. Weijs talks of a volcano being able to erupt. “It was robust in the beginning as a result of groups in Belgium attempt to make it a extremely bodily battle. However ultimately he grew to become used to it. He exploded.”

Weijs labored significantly carefully 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 needed to work laborious to construct that relationship and achieve his confidence as a result of he was not too open at first. He must really feel the love. He needs to be revered. However while you spend money on that relationship with him and he appears like he can belief you, he opens up.”

Weijs remembers conversations about different sports activities. “He’s a giant basketball fan.” And longer discussions about his sport and his profession. “We’d overview clips, have discussions about his confidence, about his function within the crew, these form of issues.”

Having seen him up shut, what makes him so good?

“He has a superb physique however it’s his ability. His technical skills in tiny areas are actually spectacular. He’s so snug on the ball. His first contact is at all times comfortable. Which means he creates loads of time for himself to seek out options in difficult conditions.”

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 excellent by the top,” says Weijs.

In the course of the second half of that season in Belgium, it grew to become apparent that Zirkzee had discovered all that he might from the expertise. “The coaching classes at Anderlecht, they only grew to become too straightforward for him. It was actually clear that he was prepared for the following 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 appropriate transfer. “I had some doubts,” admits Weijs.

He needn’t have nervous. Bologna was the appropriate membership. Zirkzee has blossomed this season, a key part in probably the most thrilling sides in European soccer. “I feel he had a reasonably good coach as nicely.” Thiago Motta, who curiously sees extra of Ronaldinho in him than Ibrahimovic, has taken his sport to a different stage.

Specifically, Zirkzee has considerably improved his off-the-ball work, changing into a pressure within the sport with out the soccer. Taking part in in a urgent crew, he ranked prime in Serie A for prime turnovers this previous season and second for possession gained within the last third.

“That may be a little instance of the transition that I used to be speaking about – from youth participant to skilled participant. That’s working laborious, mentality, development mindset, transition sport, depth. Wanting again, you may solely say that Bologna was the proper 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 following Ibrahimovic will surely enchantment to each golf equipment. A participant who can press excessive, maintain the ball up and rating objectives will at all times be in demand.

“Now, there may be loads of curiosity,” says Weijs. The volcano has erupted.