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When Joshua Zirkzee sealed his £36.5 million transfer to Manchester United, few could have predicted the lofty comparisons that would follow.
However, those close to the Dutch striker are already drawing parallels between Zirkzee and one of United’s most iconic figures, Eric Cantona.
Ricardo Willemse, Zirkzee’s youth coach, spoke about the striker’s mentality, suggesting it resembles Cantona’s. “Joshua’s attitude is a little bit like Cantona’s.”
“He’s got that confidence, but he’s not doing it for the cameras.”
Willemse believes Zirkzee’s combination of quiet confidence and undeniable flair could make him a natural successor to the United legend.
In an interview, Zirkzee touched on his ambitions and inspirations, notably drawing parallels with another footballing maverick, Zlatan Ibrahimović.
“Scoring goals isn’t enough for me – I want to entertain people,” Zirkzee said, reflecting on the type of football he aspires to play.
It’s a statement that echoes the sentiments of both Ibrahimović and Cantona—two enigmatic figures who transcended mere goalscoring to become symbols of their respective clubs.
Zirkzee, standing at 6ft 4in with an imposing presence and a flair for the dramatic, brings a unique skill set to the table.
Despite his size, he’s more than just a traditional centre-forward.
The 23-year-old thrives in a ‘nine-and-a-half’ role, much like Cantona did —a player who operates between the lines, cutting in from wide areas and showing technical brilliance with both feet.
Time will tell if Zirkzee can meet such lofty expectations, but for now, the signs are promising.
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