Everton and Burnley missed out on the chance to bring Joshua Zirkzee to the Premier League with the striker’s outstanding Serie A form earning comparisons with the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Manuel Neuer described the Dutchman as a ‘deadly’ finisher during his formative years at Bayern Munich, and the goal which secured Bologna’s 2-0 victory over Torino on Monday night goes a long way to explaining why the iconic shot-stopper rated his former team-mate so highly.
In stoppage time, Joshua Zirkzee bamboozled his way past a tired Torino defender before firing home, taking his tally to six for the campaign.
Everton and Burnley could have had Joshua Zirkzee
Having twice turned down a move to Everton earlier in his career, The Toffees’ loss is proving to be Bologna’s gain, Thiago Motta’s high-flying side now sixth in the Serie A table and dreaming of European qualification.
“It has been clear for some time that he is a strong player,” sighs Ivan Juric, the Torino coach who’s side found out first hand just how ‘deadly’ Zirkzee can be (Tuttomercatoweb).
“Those who are good (coaches), take these talents, cultivate them and manage to make them explode. In some moves, I see Ibra again. He is an atypical striker who also manages to score many goals.”
Zirkzee, balletic and beautiful, belies his rangy frame with a touch made out of pure velvet. Those comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimovic are a testament not only to his form in front of the goal but the swagger with which he carries himself.
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Zirkzee may have a long way to go before he can justify the remarkable claims of one rather ambitious reporter – who indicated that he is ‘better than Erling Haaland’ in a number of departments – but the 22-year-old’s superb start to the campaign must feel like salt rubbed into Burnley’s wounds.
The former Anderlecht forward, after all, admitted back in June that he would be open to the idea of reuniting with Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor, and how the Burnley boss could do with him now.
“Has Kompany called yet? No, although I am in contact with many other Burnley staff,” Zirkzee told Het Nieuwsblad.
“If Vinny calls, it might open a door that I would like to walk through.”
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