Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee is being strongly linked to becoming Manchester United’s first signing in the summer of 2024.
Something in particular that has really excited the Red Devils’ faithful is not his technical ability, but the Netherlands international’s towering height and how that can benefit him in the Premier League.
Zirkzee is being eyed as a replacement to the outgoing Anthony Martial after his contract expired. The Bologna forward had an impressive 2023/24 season in the Serie A, heping them qualify for the UEFA Champions Leauge with a top-4 finish and delivered 19 goal contributions (12 goals and seven assists) across all competitions in the previous campaign.
The 23-year-old is already quite an experienced individual and even came up through Bayern Munich’s academy. He had a short stint with the Bavarians before tapping into his best form under Thiago Motta at Bologna.
While the Dutch forward boasts impressive ability on the ball, being able to dribble past defenders, hold-up play or link up with teammates with ease, his physical structure helps him be a thorn for the opposition players.
Zirzkee’s height, in particular, gives him an advantage over some defenders. Despite being able to move around with the ball swiftly, he is also of a respectable 6’4″ height, giving him enough leverage to physically trouble defenders.
The 23-year-old can win the aerial duels with ease, score powerful headers but his physical structure doesn’t hold him back from also wheezing past players and showcasing sublime trickery.
A lot of Manchester United fans have been won over by Zirkzee’s height and believe his powerful presence can add something different to their frontline.
In comparison, the Dutch forward is taller than Rasmus Hojlund (6’3’) and also towers over the likes of Marcus Rashford (6’1’), Alejandro Garnacho (5’11’) and also Antony (5’9’).
In fact, he’d be the joint-tallest player in the Red Devils’ squad alongside Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay if he joined.
In a division like the Premier League where defenders can be physically imposing, having a strong presence like Zirkzee’s could help intimidate opposition players.
Some fans have also decided to show off how impressive the 23-year-old’s physical structure is with a picture of him alongside Robert Lewandowski. The Dutchman played with Lewandowski when the both of them were at Bayern Munich and Zirkzee towered over the Polish forward at that time too.
Lewandowski is around 6’1’, but this picture makes him look like a child in front of Zirkzee.
That is probably because of the strange angle of the snap, but the fact is that the Bologna forward towers over many top-quality centre-forwards right now. To his credit, the Dutchman has also learnt how to utilize his physical prowess and outwit defenders.
Last season, he used his height and muscular build to harass defenders constantly. He utilizes his height to bring down long balls or chipped passes, shield the ball from defenders and then feed wingers or attacking midfielders into free space. That can hugely benefit goal-scoring wingers like Rashford or Garnacho, who love being played in through on goal.
Zirkzee’s potential arrival could ring alarm bells for Hojlund, but fans will hope the fiery competitiveness will get the best out of the Danish forward too.
Erik ten Hag is clearly demanding more options to diversify his attacking pattern at Manchester United and Zirkzee’s height and technical qualities can help in potentially unlocking the true might of the Red Devils’ forward line.