Ideal striker Zirkzee impresses: 'He has everything'

Joshua Zirkzee’s performance in his starting debut for the Netherlands has sparked widespread praise, with many analysts highlighting his potential to become a key figure in the national team’s attack.

Theo Janssen, a former Dutch international and now a prominent football pundit, was quick to note the young striker’s impact on the game. “He played really well,” Janssen commented during the post-match analysis. “We’ve known Zirkzee for a while as a technically gifted player, but there were questions about whether he could get in front of goal enough since he tends to roam. However, his basic technique, his awareness, and his ability to make the right decision almost every time were clear. He was crucial to how fluid the Dutch team played.”

Zirkzee’s role in the team was naturally compared to that of Memphis Depay, who has been a mainstay in the Dutch attack for years. Janssen noted that while Memphis often drifts to the left, sometimes crowding the space with Cody Gakpo, Zirkzee seemed to complement Gakpo better. “You get the feeling that Zirkzee and Gakpo have a slightly better understanding of each other,” Janssen observed. “With Xavi Simons and Tijjani Reijnders supporting from midfield, their collaboration was beautiful to watch. It made the Dutch team more dynamic and exciting, especially from a footballing perspective. It was fun to watch them again.”

This was echoed by another pundit, Rafael van der Vaart, who expressed his admiration for Zirkzee’s all-around game. However, Van der Vaart was cautious about dismissing Memphis Depay’s contributions too quickly. “Of course, now everyone wants to push Memphis out of the team,” Van der Vaart said. “But I still think that when he’s at his best, Memphis is the top player. Zirkzee is new to many, but Pierre van Hooijdonk recommended watching him closely, and I did. Zirkzee is the ideal striker, the type we’ve been missing for a long time. He has everything speed, good link-up play, goal-scoring ability you name it. Now that he’s moved to a big club, that’s only going to help his confidence, and he’s brought that confidence into the Dutch team. His link-up play was especially enjoyable to watch.”

Zirkzee’s recent transfer to Manchester United has boosted his profile, and his confidence seems to have carried over into his national team performances. The move to such a high-profile club has undoubtedly helped him mature as a player, and his debut for the Netherlands was seen as a reflection of his growing stature in European football. With his blend of speed, technical ability, and tactical awareness, Zirkzee has drawn comparisons to top strikers, offering a fresh option for the Dutch team moving forward.

However, despite the positive feedback, it appears Zirkzee will not start in the upcoming match against Germany. Coach Ronald Koeman confirmed that Zirkzee will be rotated out, making way for Brian Brobbey to lead the line in the attack. Koeman’s decision to switch things up is likely a tactical one, providing both players with an opportunity to prove themselves in different scenarios. Zirkzee’s impressive debut has certainly put pressure on other forwards in the squad, but Brobbey will have a chance to showcase his skills against top opposition as well.

For Koeman, the emergence of Zirkzee adds valuable depth to the Dutch squad as they prepare for upcoming international tournaments. The competition for the striker position is intensifying, and with both Zirkzee and Brobbey showing promise, Koeman has options depending on the tactical demands of each game.

As the Netherlands look ahead to their next fixtures, the debate over who should lead the attack Memphis, Zirkzee, or Brobbey will continue. But for now, Zirkzee’s standout performance has offered a glimpse of what the future could hold for the Dutch national team with him in the spotlight.