Joshua Zirkzee image 11

Joshua Zirkzee Netherlands flag

2024-25 Performances


View full 2024-25 profile

4.8 Season Average Rating
Appearances
19
Goals
3
Assists
2
Yellow cards
1
another clueless signing from eth. A knock on effect to eth’s own tactical cluelessness. He basically saw him as ‘something different’, a different kind of striker that he could bring on to maybe hopefully possibly change something.
By most credible accounts it appears Zirkzee is an INEOS signing and ETH actually didn't want him
 
Strikes me that he appealed as he is young, had enjoyed a good season in Italy, and was available for a fairly reasonable fee of ~ £36m.

Unfortunately his attributes don’t appear to line up with the requirements of the team, nor with the Premier League in general.

Would love to be wrong, but I can’t see him ending up a success.

Fortunately he isn’t Antony levels of disaster due to the fee.
 
I agree with much of what you said, but just a matter of fact Juve and Milan did want him. United paid a little over the release clause so they could pay it over a longer period of time.
They may have wanted him but how much were they really willing to pay? Plus juves recent transfer business hasn't been great
 
Why is this thread so active? He's barely played recently...



This I agree with though, United is a pressure cooker!

Hopefully this is the making of him.

He's an absolute unit, if we can fill him with confidence and get him playing aggressive he'd be a real handful and perfect for this league

Unfortunately his game is seemingly the complete opposite of this atm
 
Why is this thread so active? He's barely played recently...



This I agree with though, United is a pressure cooker!

Hopefully this is the making of him.
The reason he has barely played is because he has been so bad when he has played
 
He looks like the guy who gets picked for the school team because he’s massive. No touch, can hardly pass, but may bulldoze his way through or shank a thirty yarder into the top corner.
 
He looks like the guy who gets picked for the school team because he’s massive. No touch, can hardly pass, but may bulldoze his way through or shank a thirty yarder into the top corner.
I feel like the touch and the passing are things that will come if he can get some confidence and belief in himself. Based on what he showed in the 2 or 3 early games where he actually played well, those aspects are his strengths along with his hold-up play.

It's the intensity and speed that I'm not sure he can ever deal with. And if he can't deal with that then he won't gain his confidence, and if he can't get his confidence then the rest of his game won't come good.

Hopefully he can come good, but there's obviously large doubts about him. Especially as I'm not sure if he fits in Amorim's system.
 
I feel like the touch and the passing are things that will come if he can get some confidence and belief in himself. Based on what he showed in the 2 or 3 early games where he actually played well, those aspects are his strengths along with his hold-up play.

It's the intensity and speed that I'm not sure he can ever deal with. And if he can't deal with that then he won't gain his confidence, and if he can't get his confidence then the rest of his game won't come good.

Hopefully he can come good, but there's obviously large doubts about him. Especially as I'm not sure if he fits in Amorim's system.

I agree, joking aside he has showed the odd glimpse of a player, but miles away from where we need him to be. Like you say, hopefully some of this improvement can come from himself and his own belief, some can be coached. I want (and need!) him to succeed of course, the juries out at the moment.
 
By my calculations, was the only fit first teamer to either a) not make two apperances or b) at least not start one of the games.

Hopefully a sign of things to come.
 
By my calculations, was the only fit first teamer to either a) not make two apperances or b) at least not start one of the games.

Hopefully a sign of things to come.

I believe he is done here. Amorim's football demands qualities of which Zirkzee is the exact opposite. It's not going to work and this transfer still baffles me.
 
He looks like the guy who gets picked for the school team because he’s massive. No touch, can hardly pass, but may bulldoze his way through or shank a thirty yarder into the top corner.
I would prefer to give Obi Martin any minutes that might come his way and I full accept that Obi Martin isn't ready at this level. He's more this level that Zirkzee though.
 
I don't see him starting today and he may not even get on. I don't see where he fits.

His performances have been dull and uninspiring.

I can see him leaving on loan next summer..the PL is too intense for his game
 
I feel like the touch and the passing are things that will come if he can get some confidence and belief in himself. Based on what he showed in the 2 or 3 early games where he actually played well, those aspects are his strengths along with his hold-up play.

It's the intensity and speed that I'm not sure he can ever deal with. And if he can't deal with that then he won't gain his confidence, and if he can't get his confidence then the rest of his game won't come good.

Hopefully he can come good, but there's obviously large doubts about him. Especially as I'm not sure if he fits in Amorim's system.
Yeah his first games made me think he would adapt quite quickly. He didn't score yet, but already showed some of his Bologna signs. His game for NL at that time was good, too. But then it seems his confidence dropped completely and it looks like he can't do much, except for a glimpse here or there. Hopefully it gets back soon, because his play can be a great watch when he's in shape.
 
I expected and really like that Amorim gives Zirkzee a start today. Obviously Hojlund would have been the preferred choice, but Amorim said in the beginning that everyone gets a fair chance. So we have already seen Rashford and Hojlund starting up front and now he gives Zirkzee the chance to show himself.
 
Even a little performance will be an improvement.

Zirkzee and Rashford in a front 3 that is expected to press intensely is a concern.

I seem to bring this up every week he features but Zirkzee came to us with a record of winning possession back in the final third more than almost any other player in Serie A in his final season. His languid style makes it look like he lacks intensity but he can definitely contribute effectively in a high press.

 
Interesting comments on Zirkzee by the boss.
Stated that Tarkowski and Branthwaite are really big and strong in the air so he wants someone technical who can get to them in different areas. Then said it’s just an idea and he’ll see if it works..
 
Exactly. And you’re not going to get that by not letting them play.

The other plus side is that it strengthens our bench, as Hojlund coming on against tired legs is a very handy sub to have, or the other way around with Zirkzee nicking a goal or two off the bench. It really does work in everyone's interests if the Zirkzee transfer works out. It's good for him because he'll get regular, consistent football at a top club. It's good for the fans because we want to see players come to the club and succeed. It works for the club because it's money spent in a good way and it means we don't have to go back into the market immediately for a replacement, whilst also working out what to do with this player. E.g. do we sell him on straight away or keep him in the hope he works out.

In short: it makes everyone's life so much easier if he starts scoring. Also, the longer he goes without scoring, the harder it'll be for him. If he can go nearly 20 appearances without a goal, he could realistically go for another 20...which can't be good for confidence. His or the team's. Or the staff. Or the fans, for that matter.