One 12 months after the acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, Manchester United are on the verge of signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, finishing the Italianization of their assault, writes Wayne Girard.
Serie A, now greater than ever, proves to be a hotbed of high quality alternatives and uncooked expertise. Whereas it does appear that each summer season one massive participant is bought off, these gamers carry the ethos of Italian soccer with them, and infrequently go on to shock worldwide followers who’ve seemingly by no means heard of them.
Though the Italian sport has developed, the league nonetheless proves to be on the forefront of technicality and tactical innovation. Gamers who transfer overseas are sometimes capable of outthink and adapt rapidly to their new environment. Now, Manchester United plan to finish the ‘Italianization’ of their assault.
One man behind Italy’s accumulation of expertise over the past a number of generations has been Bologna’s sporting director, Giovanni Sartori. Two seasons in the past, he noticed a chance with a teenage Dutch attacker by the identify of Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman had been Anderlecht’s high scorer with 16 objectives whereas out on mortgage within the earlier marketing campaign. He had a powerful construct and was a proficient dribbler, but not thought-about important to Bayern Munich’s system. He was then bought from the German giants for simply over €8.5m million, in addition to 40% on any future sale.
Since then, his expertise – and worth – has risen astronomically, changing into arguably the very best all-around ahead in Serie A. What makes him so distinctive is his capacity to run at defenders whereas dropping deep and preserving his again in the direction of purpose when receiving the ball. Eager to place his head up and search for choices, Joshua additionally has ball ability capacity that’s uncharacteristic for his peak, as he maintains a decrease centre of gravity and is ready to dance round opponents in any part of the assault.
It’s an analogous serenade for Rasmus Højlund, who, after bursting on the scene with massive objectives domestically and in Europe for Atalanta, was bought by Manchester United for a whopping €75m price plus €10m in performance-related add-ons. The Purple Devils bought their cash’s price because the then-20-year-old turned the youngest participant ever to attain in six consecutive Premier League matches.
Højlund confirmed nice maturity and knowledgeable angle to shake off the detrimental voices round United’s camp as they endured darkish moments of their season. The Danish worldwide stored on growing his skills as a poacher, attacking the ball within the six-yard field and getting underneath it when given unkind passes—a uncommon ability for any participant.
Nevertheless, one space the place Rasmus has struggled is hold-up play when being pressed from the again and tightly marked. That is the place Joshua enters the fray.
Milan verify Man Utd goal Zirkzee ‘is the previous’ however will signal new striker ‘quickly’
If Manchester United do certainly signal Bologna’s prodigy-turned-elite baller, they are going to be including the right ahead to enhance Højlund. A ‘coppia’ nurtured via Italian soccer, Zirkzee will examine for the ball, drift in between the traces, and play because the shadow off the Dane’s shoulder. A lot of Zirkzee’s sport appears to mix with wingers who’ve taken house via overlapping runs, however on this case, he’ll be capable of roam extra reasonably than having to behave as each a floating no.9 and a focus within the field.
The Bologna striker was a frontrunner in lay-offs final season, and even when his play doesn’t discover the striker immediately, his buildup via the flanks and with advancing midfielders will likely be a byproduct of Højlund scoring extra objectives. When United are capable of possess the ball within the attacking third as Erik ten Hag hopes for, Zirkzee’s capacity to work out of tight areas will make the ultimate move and good little flick to unleash his striker.
Bringing these two attackers collectively would set up a brand new technology of younger, elite gamers for Manchester United—undoubtedly one with robust Italian roots.
