Arsenal have been linked with Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who is attracting interest from several clubs, but he is not a player many fans will know a lot about.
Zirkzee came through the ranks at Bayern Munich’s academy, having joined as a youngster from Feyenoord, before eventually completing a permanent transfer to Serie A side Bologna in 2022.
The 22-year-old has thrived this season, with seven goals and two assists in 18 Serie A starts, and he offers a lot more than goals.
The 1.93m tall striker is excellent both inside and out of the box, and his magnificent technique has also led to comparisons with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp.
Arsenal target Joshua Zirkzee compared to Dennis Bergkamp
Former Italy international Francesco ‘Ciccio’ Graziani recently claimed that the striker’s ability on the ball reminded him of how Bergkamp used to produce magic with the ball at his feet.
“Technically he is very good and has shown that he sees the goal. In Zirkzee I seem to see the Dutch Dennis Bergkamp: someone who made your eyes shine with his technique,” he stated, via Bologna Sport News.
The former Bayern wonderkid is “sought-after” by several top clubs including Arsenal, but it recently emerged that Bologna would want a huge fee similar to the one Manchester United paid for Rasmus Holjund in the summer.
Is Joshua Zirkzee anything like Dennis Bergkamp?
Although Bergkamp was on a different planet to most players in the history of the game when it came to pure technical ability, it is easy to see why Zirkzee has drawn such stylistic comparisons.
The striker towers over a lot of players given his height, but also carries a lot of mobility, unlike someone like Olivier Giroud, who was a pure target man.
Zirkzee has outstanding technique and vision, and ranks in the top 15% of European forwards for shot-creating actions.
Like Bergkamp, goal and assist numbers do not tell the full story with Zirkzee. His intelligent movement, passing and vision sets him apart from a lot of strikers his age, and he also has the potential to explode in front of goal as he ages.
Although he may not be the finished product Arsenal perhaps need in front of goal this summer, he is a player they should continue to keep an eye on with a view to the future as he continues to develop and fulfil his vast potential from his Bayern days.
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