Attacker Burnley lost out is likened to Ibrahamović and Haaland

Joshua Zirkzee’s exceptional Serie A form has drawn comparisons to the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Everton and Burnley were unable to bring him to the Premier League.

During his early years at Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer called the Dutchman a “deadly” finisher. The goal that sealed Bologna’s 2-0 victory over Torino on Monday night helps to explain why the legendary goalie thought so highly of his former teammate.

Joshua Zirkzee scored his sixth goal of the season in stoppage time after bamboozling his way past a worn-out Torino defender.

Everton and Burnley could have had Joshua Zirkzee

The Toffees’ loss is turning out to be Bologna’s gain; Thiago Motta’s high-flying team is currently sixth in the Serie A table and is hoping to qualify for Europe. Motta turned down two moves to Everton earlier in his career.

Ivan Juric, the Torino coach who witnessed firsthand just how “deadly” Zirkzee can be, sighes, “It has been clear for some time that he is a strong player” (Tuttomercatoweb).

“Good coaches are able to take these talents, nurture them, and watch them blossom.” I recognize Ibra in a few movements. He is a unique striker who consistently scores a lot of goals.

Zirkzee, elegant and graceful, has a touch of pure velvet that belies his rangy frame. The fact that he is compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic speaks volumes about both his skill in front of goal and his self-assurance.

Italy’s new Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

Zirkzee may still have a ways to go before he can live up to the astounding assertions of one very ambitious reporter, who stated that he is “better than Erling Haaland” in many areas, but Burnley must be feeling even more hurt by the 22-year-old’s outstanding start to the season.

After all, the former Anderlecht forward acknowledged in June that he would be amenable to the notion of working with Burnley manager Vincent Kompany again at Turf Moor.