Joshua Zirkzee: Clear in the head, Bavaria in mind - "The Munich chapter is not yet closed"

Created: 2/9/2022Updated: 2/9/2022 8:33 AM

By: Philipp Kessler, Manuel Bonke

An asset at RSC Anderlecht: Joshua Zirkzee (right), here in the game against Kortrijk.

© Imago/Belga

Joshua Zirkzee is currently proving at RSC Anderlecht that he is not only a talented striker, but also one who is willing to learn.

The Bayern chapter is not over yet.

Munich

– Joshua Zirkzee already showed in Munich that his football skills are undisputed.

It is not for nothing that the attacker, under the then coach Hansi Flick, made nine Bundesliga appearances in the 2019/2020 season and scored four goals.

But instead of continuing to work hard on himself and picking up the momentum, the Dutchman shifted down a gear.

Those responsible then tried to lure him out of his comfort zone.

But it didn't help.

The Sturm-Juwel had to go back to the second team in order to collect match practice in the 3rd division.

RSC Anderlecht: Joshua Zirkzee thrives under Vincent Kompany

In the following season, Bayern signed the experienced Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as a back-up for world footballer Robert Lewandowski in the summer.

Six months later, Zirkzee escaped to Parma Calcio on loan.

But there he had a lot of bad luck with injuries, which is why he got almost no playing time.

Talent developer Julian Nagelsmann took over as head coach at the German record champions in the summer.

Nevertheless, those responsible decided to loan Zirkzees again.

This time to RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.

"It is very important for Joshua that he gets as much playing time as possible," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic at the time.

"Joshua can now take the important next step in his professional career in an interesting league."

That's what Zirkzee is doing, today 20. Just last matchday he caused a sensation with a brace in the 4-1 win against KAS Eupen.

He scored his first goal with a spectacular overhead kick in the best Robert Lewandowski style.

His statistics are impressive: In 24 league games he has scored twelve goals and six assists.

In Belgium it is said that thanks to coach Vincent Kompany (35), Zirkzee has become clear in his head and professional in his appearance.

Lukas Nmecha (23) had already experienced a similar development, and he also had some crazy ideas when he came to Anderlecht.

Nmecha is now a regular in Wolfsburg and made his international debut last year.

Is Zirkzee pursuing a similar career path?

His loan ends in the summer, Anderlecht has no purchase option and could not afford the striker anyway.

The contract in Munich runs until the summer of 2023. "The Bayern Munich chapter is not yet closed," Zirkzee said last December.

(Manuel Bonke/Philipp Kessler)