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Joshua Zirkzee Netherlands flag

2024-25 Performances


View full 2024-25 profile

4.9 Season Average Rating
Appearances
38
Goals
5
Assists
2
Yellow cards
1
I don't see how it's possible really.

His goalscoring record is poor even before joining us.

And he's very, very slow.

Those 2 facts eliminate the possibility him from becoming an elite attacking player. He does show some promising signs in terms of his link up play, but he needs to be far more consistent with that. He's also had some shockers where it looks like he can't control a ball to save his life and give it away every time he's received it.

He can maybe be a useful squad player if he sharpens up his game a lot, but he's never a starting centre forward for a side winning the PL/CL. And the idea that he can play as a 10 in this system I just don't buy either, he's been worse whenever we've tried it so far.
If he creates a lot of assists for the likes of Amad then it doesn't really matter if he doesn't score a lot himself, he reminds me a bit of Peter Crouch, lanky, awkward and moves like Bambi on ice
 
Based on yesterday it looks like he's figured out how to accelerate a bit, both with and without the ball. That was one of the first times I've watched him play and liked the look of his movement.
 
Needs to start.
Also needs a killer instinct in front of goal.
Showed some sweet touches when he came on.
He's hasn't got that strikers selfish mentality though.
Noticed on Amad's 1st he just stood still watching instead of peeling off into space awaiting the tap in.
Don't know if I'm being super critical.
Good job Amad scored.
 
I feel like he would have been mint back in the day when teams didn't press so aggressively. He's a throwback to players like Bergkamp and Berbatov.
 
I feel like he would have been mint back in the day when teams didn't press so aggressively. He's a throwback to players like Bergkamp and Berbatov.
Like Bergkamp, that's about the same as chalk and cheese!
 
He’s bit too slow for an attacker, it seems defenders are able to catch him when he’s going through. But he has the physique and technique to get hold on the ball far better than Hojlund.

He needs to show more consistency, improve his concentration, improve his off ball movement, improves his passing, and improves his ball retention so he doesn’t do clumsy that giving the ball away cheaply.
 
People say he should start scoring and of course that is true, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that he set up Amad for the 1-0, and him and Amad pressing made the defender lose the ball on the 3-0

I think he is adjusting to the speed and intensity of the league, but the way the ball was plucked from his feet when he got to the box on a few occasions shows he’s clearly still got some work to do. Considering how he may be adjusting, I think there’s hope for him.

But of course let’s see how he’ll do from the start. Hopefully against Brighton. Will be much tougher opposition than what Southampton brought today, so big test for him

I hope they aren’t “much tougher” as Southampton played us off the park for 60 minutes. I thought Southampton performed at around the level I’d expect Brighton to be at, but Brighton will probably be more clinical if they get the same chances and won’t fade as badly.
 
Finally up to speed with English football?

Recent cameos have been encouraging.

Has looked a lot more aggressive.
 
He’s more effective that Hojlund currently so we will need to start him more often. Has genuine quality on the ball and is starting to pick up the pace of premier league football. Don’t think he’s destined to be our main striker or anything but he could be useful in the squad going forward
 
He just looks a lot stronger recently. Defenders seem to bounce off him now.

I think he's quite an exciting work in progress, because if we fix a few things I think we've got quite a unique asset up front.

The problem it poses though is we probably need a goalscoring LAM/LWF. But that surely isn't that hard to find, right footed goalscoring left forwards seemed to be in abundance everywhere.
 
He just looks a lot stronger recently. Defenders seem to bounce off him now.

I think he's quite an exciting work in progress, because if we fix a few things I think we've got quite a unique asset up front.

The problem it poses though is we probably need a goalscoring LAM/LWF. But that surely isn't that hard to find, right footed goalscoring left forwards seemed to be in abundance everywhere.
He's also not bad in the air. He won't be a great target for a headed goal just yet because I don't think he has that instinct, but when we punt it long and he just needs to win the ball in the air, hel be good for it.

I feel Hojlund is impressively bad in this department despite having good height himself.
 
If he creates a lot of assists for the likes of Amad then it doesn't really matter if he doesn't score a lot himself, he reminds me a bit of Peter Crouch, lanky, awkward and moves like Bambi on ice
I’ve been up and down with him I’m not gonna lie, but at the start I said he could be similar to Firmino at Liverpool when he fully settles in maybe. Assists more than he scores and helps make the team better without ever being the top scorer.
 
It's weird. Whenever he starts, he looks atrocious. Whenever he comes on as a substitute, he looks really good.
 
It's weird. Whenever he starts, he looks atrocious. Whenever he comes on as a substitute, he looks really good.

It's a rather small sample size though. If used to set up the others he will be fine I am sure.
 
Needs to sort his celebrations out. I’m surprised nothing was made about his machine gun celebration. Haven’t players got in to trouble for similar before? Then after Amad’s second he did what looked like a cock grab gesture to the Stretford End.
 
He's getting a ban I heard for grabbing his bollox after a goal the other night.
Michael Jackson style
 
He sees a proper pass more than three quarters of our squad. If he ups his work rate and conditioning, this will turn out to be a good signing for us. For him to get hooked like he did vs Newcastle, and bounce back to be decent against Southampton, is a good sign.
 
Gives us something that Hojlund just hasn't got in his locker and thats hold up play.

Amount times he held ball up and link up play going forward other night.

Needs to start for us tomorrow.
 
I think he had a good first 45 minutes. Good control when used as a target, combined well with his teammates and played parts in dangerous moments. Second half he wasnt as noticable but Brighton also controlled the game at that point.

Overall he was one of the better players on the pitch but that isnt really the compliment it should be.
 
While it wasn't a great performance, it was probably the best complete forward performance for us, finishing aside. Which says a lot about the quality of the forward line.
 
Deserves to keep his starting place on the back of that performance... well, mostly on the first half of it. And mostly because of his competition.