Twenty3’s Under 23s to watch: Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee is emerging as one of the breakout Serie A stars of 2023-24.
The 22-year-old marksman has helped lift Bologna into contention for continental football next season.
Zirkzee’s growing influence has not gone unnoticed by clubs around Europe, including Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United, who have already been linked to the striker.
We have delved into the Twenty3 Toolbox to investigate what makes the flying Dutchman unique.
Making progress
After a tough first season, Zirkzee is starting to find his feet in Italy.
In the 2022-23 campaign, he managed just two goals, a tally he has already surpassed this term with eight to his name and 14 league games still to play.
The Schiedam native is performing comfortably beyond his 6.83 expected goals (xG) — the ninth-highest among the division’s strikers.
He has not been afraid to take aim, registering 22 non-penalty shots on target. That total is bettered only by Lautaro Martínez (27), Duván Zapata (26), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (24) and Dušan Vlahović (23).
Bologna are not the most proficient attacking team under Thiago Motta, instead focusing on a compact defensive structure, meaning Zirkzee’s efficiency has become even more important.
He has taken on that burden impressively and would likely prove even more successful in a team with more attacking tendencies.
Problem solver
Zirkzee’s biggest strength is his hold-up play.
Motta trusts him to be an outlet and bring team-mates into play — only two Serie A strikers have received more passes than the Dutchman this season (428).
Zirkzee’s strong 6ft3in frame and excellent first touch allows him to guard the ball from defenders and, in turn, create chances.
This term, he has provided three assists and completed 13 of his 14 key pass attempts.
He often looks to drop deep in front of the opposition defence, attempting to drag the centre-backs out of position.
That does not mean Zirkzee is afraid of getting into the danger zone — he ranks sixth among strikers for touches inside the opposition box (77).
Defensive contributions
One of Zirkzee’s underappreciated qualities is his ability to lead from the front.
Bologna have been among the best defensive sides in Serie A this season, conceding just 18 non-penalty goals — the fourth-least in the league — while keeping nine clean sheets.
Motta instructs his side to sit in a compact unit, but he also likes to force opponents into errors, with one of Lewis Ferguson or Zirkzee triggering the press.
The latter has averaged 2.05 interceptions and 3.1 completed ball recoveries per 90 minutes.
Zirkzee’s work-rate out of possession will be especially important should he make the switch to a Premier League club.
Effortless technique
Zirkzee, despite his size, is a graceful dribbler.
He has averaged 4.69 dribble attempts per 90 in Serie A this season, with a success rate of 44.77%.
Dropping deep allows Zirkzee space to drive at defences. While he does not have blinding speed, he has the intelligence to slow down before accelerating away.
This enables Bologna’s wingers to attack the space made available by his movement.
He also has the requisite vision to combine with his teammates. No player in Serie A has attempted more link-up plays (203), with 139 of them proving successful.
Zirkzee has begun to fulfil the potential he showed while at Bayern Munich. If he continues on his current trajectory, the suitors will be lining up come the summer.
All visualisations in this article were produced with the Twenty3 Toolbox. For more information, please get in touch below.