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Joshua Zirkzee Netherlands flag

2024-25 Performances

View full 2024-25 profile

4.9 Season Average Rating
Appearances
41
Goals
5
Assists
2
Yellow cards
2
Presumably it's just a reaction to him getting booed, but there is a noticeable trend for him to get excessive praise for performing even basic actions in recent weeks
 
Tiber said:
Presumably it's just a reaction to him getting booed, but there is a noticeable trend for him to get excessive praise for performing even basic actions in recent weeks
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100%.

In all but the spurs match, he's still registering under 70% pass accuracy, always in the bottom 2 in our team (interchanging with Hojlund). Yet if he makes one or two basic passes people forget all the others and say he's got great technique or excellent hold up play. Crazy.

One funny moment we where he had it in the edge of our box and just had to nicely play it out, and he absolutely belted the ball at hojlund. Almost took his head off. Think that counted as one of those " silky" moments.
 
Tiber said:
Presumably it's just a reaction to him getting booed, but there is a noticeable trend for him to get excessive praise for performing even basic actions in recent weeks
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I like the lad and felt really sorry for him after that Tottenham game but I agree he isn't really offering that much he just isn't as god awful as he was in some games, but does he actually improve our attacking game? I would argue he really doesn't.
 
Feels like every player in the squad has a few ifs, buts and maybes.

Overall the team lacks a world class forward who can scare the opposition.

If Zirkzee was playing behind a top top CF with Amad to his right you might start to see some exciting play…

But for that to happen A LOT has to change.
 
Has 2 jobs. Well 3 but doesnt do 3

1) Get into a good position to receive a pass. He did this last match and was found several times
2) Find a good pass to keep a move going or to set a more mobile player free. He was terrible at this
3) Press and close down his area so opponents dont have easy buildup play. He's always lacking at this
 
Martial'sEmergingSmile said:
I totally disagree. I think he's lowkey a really willing defender and intelligent presser. It's easily the most underrated part of his game. Especially at his size - it's hard to lug a body that big around.

Tonight he had 4 tackles/interceptions combined. Joint highest in the entire team alongside Ugarte. It's not a rarity that he has good defensive numbers.

On the eye test he's not only a willing presser but a very smart one. As an example, this goal against Southampton last month: https://streamff.com/v/397f4171

Amad got the credit but Zirkzee's press is just as good. He triggers the press by pressuring the keeper, but doesn't overcommit. He puts enough pressure on the keeper to worry him but more importantly blocks the easy pass to Stephens. Instantly, as soon as the keeper is baited into the pass to Harwood-Bellis, Zirkzee sprints to close down the next passing lane from Harwood-Bellis to Stephens. It's great awareness - ends up being as good as an assist for me - yet he got no credit for it.

There's a reason Bologna always ranked so high on their team press; and Zirkzee individually ranked 2nd among all Serie A players for possession won in the Final 3rd.

I never see people talking about how good his out of possession work is. The opposite actually. I've seen him called lazy when it's so far from the case.
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Great post
 
Not called up to the national team.

Ridiculous to call up Bryan Brobbey instead who has managed an impressive 4 goals in the league this season.

Memphis back too.
 
Martial'sEmergingSmile said:
I totally disagree. I think he's lowkey a really willing defender and intelligent presser. It's easily the most underrated part of his game. Especially at his size - it's hard to lug a body that big around.

Tonight he had 4 tackles/interceptions combined. Joint highest in the entire team alongside Ugarte. It's not a rarity that he has good defensive numbers.

On the eye test he's not only a willing presser but a very smart one. As an example, this goal against Southampton last month: https://streamff.com/v/397f4171

Amad got the credit but Zirkzee's press is just as good. He triggers the press by pressuring the keeper, but doesn't overcommit. He puts enough pressure on the keeper to worry him but more importantly blocks the easy pass to Stephens. Instantly, as soon as the keeper is baited into the pass to Harwood-Bellis, Zirkzee sprints to close down the next passing lane from Harwood-Bellis to Stephens. It's great awareness - ends up being as good as an assist for me - yet he got no credit for it.

There's a reason Bologna always ranked so high on their team press; and Zirkzee individually ranked 2nd among all Serie A players for possession won in the Final 3rd.

I never see people talking about how good his out of possession work is. The opposite actually. I've seen him called lazy when it's so far from the case.
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There are two types of pressing. The run around a lot, look like you are doing some amazing pressing while the opponent just passes the ball around or press by positioning yourself well and close of passing lanes for example. Most fans only notice the first type of pressing while the other type of pressing is considered as lazy.

When we had young Rashford and young Martial, Rashford ran around chasing the ball while Martial just closed off a passing line. Rashford was beloved at the time because he ran around so much while Martial was hated for being lazy.
 
Man Utd 1:1 Fulham New
Look I get he has some positive traits but they completely flatter to deceive and almost make him look better than he is.

He can't pass so can't play number 10.

He can't shoot so can't play striker. I'm fact I'm fairly sure I've never seen an attacker with a worse ability to strike the ball.

Nothing against the lad but don't see him fixing his major flaws.

Bad decision to let him take a penalty in the first 5 when everyone and their dog knows he can't shoot a football.
 
Decrease the size of the pitch by 25% and he wins a balon d'or.

The occassional nutmegs are a thing of beauty, but the whole running up and down a field thing...
 
The good

He won a couple of freekicks, slightly more pressing

The bad

Couldnt keep the ball, 1 shot 0 on target, missed his penalty too
 
Had a decent game but took a poor penalty. It's clear he's not a clinical finisher but he does contribute to the build up and is useful in and around attacking phases. I don't worry for his inclusion in the first team for the future but I'm hoping if not Amorim but a newer manager can guide him to be more dangerous in and around the box.
 
He has a lot of ability but absolutely no physical attributes.
 
He's actually really good. I find it hard to believe that a player with his technical ability, size and brute strength isn't going to be useful in a good team.
 
Actually thought he had one of his best games for us today. Still not of the required standard and if we’re ruthlessly rebuilding, should be out the door in the summer.
 
Huge parallel with Weghorst in that he’s so slow and cumbersome he’s just not a threat. He might have nimble feet and a quick touch but he takes an age and requires clear room to truly operate.
 
Feel for the guy. I think he was pretty decent on the whole - wasn't a good penalty but honestly, to a fairly significant extent penalties are also a game of luck.
 
Imagine being a striker and taking a penalty like that. He doesn't even have a shooting technique.
 
His touch is pretty good and he can spot a good pass. However, if his passing doesn't come off, he doesn't offer a whole lot else. On top of that, his shooting and attacking threat is really, really bad.

He has lots of flaws. The only way we'll make a success out of him is if we can make his strengths so good that they outweigh his many flaws.
 
You can't deny that there is some talent in him, but either the style, the team or something else is missing. However, he is definitely a hardworking player with decent skills
 
Has some silky moments in the middle third when the opponent is a little disjointed in the press and it’s a single man with space behind.

As soon as the opposition becomes organised and his touch has 3 men on him, he disappears completely.

The occasional nutmegs will make a decent Compilation, but his overall impact is negligible.

Fitness is also still an issue, was blowing heavily after 70.
 
He’s got something about him. Just not sure where he fits. Not athletic enough to run in behind and a bit clunky in the hole despite having a decent touch at times.
 
Skills said:
He's actually really good. I find it hard to believe that a player with his technical ability, size and brute strength isn't going to be useful in a good team.
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You can find a player like him in any cage in South London.
Nippy footwork, megs, drag backs etc.

In fact most London cages/goals will have players who can do that.

He can’t run, he has no position on the pitch. Nothing he does actually amounts to anything.
He’s not a goal threat, his weight of pass and shot is constantly off.

More suitable for 5 a side football in a cage in London somewhere. Probably shouldn’t be getting paid to play for Manchester United.
 
Probably a joy to watch in small sided games, his technique is lovely, but the tempo of the PL is not suited to him.
 
Unusual player. He looks like Zidane at times. Sublime touch, decent strength and good feet. However, I just see him as a squad player long time. Could be useful, but not someone I'd want to hang my hat on every week.
 
He did well today, worked hard. He's definitely not a starter though, would be beter as an impact player off the bench.
 
Skills said:
He's actually really good. I find it hard to believe that a player with his technical ability, size and brute strength isn't going to be useful in a good team.
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I am sorry but really good? He has some nice touches but he is horrendously slow, his finishing is terrible and passing really inconsistent. He can't be an effective 9 due to his lack of pace and terrible finishing and his passing an inability to press means he can't be a top class 10. Don't see him ever being a good Premier league player and I can't imagine another Premier league team being dumb enough to spend so much on a player so deficient in key areas
 
Fair play to him for keeping going despite being totally knackered. Weird game in general though. The man could control a ball dropping from space while looking the other way one minute, and the next totally forgetting how he can put one foot in front of the other without falling over
 
Is there a slower player in the PL, I don''t think there i , there was that instance near the end where he done really well and won the ball off the Fulham player but then when he tried to get away from him it was like he was running in quicksand , easily caught and lost the ball again.

Does anyone at the club real the scout reports on these players , a player of his athletic draw backs cannot succeed in the premier league unless he is really special ability wise. The same with Antony
 
If we can sort the team out, he’ll be a good rotation option. With lots of willing runners and quality around him he’ll be better. He’s no world beater though and not a starter for the Man Utd we aspire to get back to.

His touch though is sublime. Berba-esque
 
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