Eyebrows were raised back in 2022 when Manchester United’s summer signing Joshua Zirkzee was labelled ‘better than Erling Haaland’.
Understandably so, too. Then at Borussia Dortmund, Haaland was halfway through a 29-goal season when Souleyman Ozturk made those comments two-and-a-half years ago.
Joshua Zirkzee, while in the midst of an impressive campaign of his own at Anderlecht, was operating at a far lower level and putting up far lower numbers.
But now, with both strikers operating on either side of the Manchester divide, Zirkzee’s £35 million switch from Bologna to Manchester United means that statements Ozturk may have been ridiculed for at the time can now be seen from a completely new perspective.
Joshua Zirkzee living up to expectations at Manchester United
“Zirkzee is better than Erling Haaland at everything,” the reporter told Voetbal International.
“Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability. He is therefore better than Haaland in almost everything.
“Imagine if Zirkzee had the energy and focus of Haaland. Then he would be the best striker in the world.”
Of course, Zirkzee is certainly not a better goalscorer than Haaland. The former is already trailing the latter by eight in the Premier League’s Golden Boot charts. It is also hard to imagine Haaland passing up at least two of the chances Zirkzee missed in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Southampton.
But while far from a better goalscorer, is Zirkzee a better ‘footballer’ from a technical point of view? You could certainly argue that his skill-set is more rounded. That he is more skilful on the ball, that he possesses the sort of smooth ball-carrying and playmaking vision that Haaland lacks.
‘Very skilful’ and a ‘master’ link man.
The self-professed ‘nine and a half’ gave United’s frontline an all-new dimension and a far greater flow during that Saints win, bringing out far more from a maligned but much-improved Marcus Rashford.
What cannot be questioned, meanwhile, is that Zirkzee has come on leaps and bounds since Ozturk tipped him for the very top of the game back in 2022. From Anderlecht to Bologna and, via the Serie A Young Player of the Year award, to Old Trafford.
Ozturk, then, could be forgiven for patting himself on the back and toasting his own talent I.D.
And back to the present day, the Eredivisie expert believes that there is another highly-underrated talent who perhaps deserves to join Zirkzee at Manchester United.
PSV star Olivier Boscagli recommended to Red Devils
Speaking to Voebtal International Uncensored on YouTube, Ozturk feels that Man United would be pulling off a masterstroke if they were to pursue PSV Eindhoven’s Olivier Boscagli.
“Boscagli is so good,” Ozturk says. “He should actually be in defence at United.”
A left-sided, ball-playing defender with the passing range of a seasoned midfielder, Boscagli is just about the typical prototype of the modern centre-half.
In fact, at a time in which left-sided defenders are in such high demand, it is remarkable really that offers have been in such short supply for a man who helped PSV cruise to the Eredivisie title in 2023.
Brighton and Hove Albion made two bids with PSV holding out for £17 million, per the Eindhovens Dagblad. But The Seagulls were the only side really to attempt to test the Dutch champions’ resolve.
Of course, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Man United could follow Ozturk’s advice. The FA Cup holders are likely to prioritise a left-sided centre-half themselves next summer to ease the burden on Lisandro Martinez.
And while Jarrad Branthwaite remains the leading candidate – relegation for Everton would surely force them to drastically reduce that £75 million asking price – the early success of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui may mave Ineos aligned with Erik ten Hag about the value that can be found amongst Eredivisie exports.
Man United know better than to base their transfer targets off the opinion of one reporter. But Ozturk clearly has an eye for under-appreciated talent.
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