Zirkzee plays for Everton U19s in the CEE Cup.

Thursday, 20 July, 1951 23comments  |  Jump to most recent
Dutch "superkid" Joshua Zirkzee played for Everton U19s in their CEE Cup match against Academy Pandev today, suggesting that the Blues have won the race for his signature.

The 16-year-old, described by some Dutch observers as a "goal machine" — he scored 33 goals in 27 games at Feyenoord's youth level last season — was reportedly in talks with the Blues about finalising a move to the Finch Farm Academy this week.

Having turned down a move to Ajax, Zirkzee seemed set to join Arsenal yesterday but Ronald Koeman's influence is believed to have been crucial in persuading to join Everton instead.

That has been lent credence by the fact that he was named in Everton U19s' CEE Group B match today, turning out in the No.18 jersey. A video of the game with full sound (but no commentary) is provided here:



The Everton players are wearing shirt numbers but no names. However, the full team sheet was as follows:

Everton U19s:
12 Joe Hilton (GK)
10 Nathan Moore
5 Stephen Duke-McKenna
3 Michael Collins
11 Con Ouzounidis
15 Thomas Scully
17 Tom Warren
19 Pawel Zuk
6 Anthony Gordon
29 Shayne Lavery
18 Joshua Zirkzee

Substitutes:
2 Joe Anderson
7 Sid Kerr
9 Barney McKeown
1 Nico Defreitas-Hansen
14 Elliot Richards
4 Jordan Corke
16 Ellis Simms

 

Reader Comments (23)

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Chris Watts
1 Posted 20/07/2017 at 18:04:05
So... has anyone watched it who can comment on whether he played well?
Phil Walling
2 Posted 20/07/2017 at 18:17:20
Well, if this kid cuts the mustard and gets signed up, it will free up yet another of Unsy's Wonders to be eased out on loan!
Alan McGuffog
3 Posted 20/07/2017 at 18:25:34
Looking forward to seeing more of Joe Anderson in a blue shirt...
James Flynn
4 Posted 20/07/2017 at 18:25:39
Jason Barker posted this link to the game: Link
Have to scroll down a bit to see it. But it's there. He's #18.

Didn't get to see much of the ball. Likely down to being new to the team. His movement to open passing lanes looked good. As did his skill on the ball, the few times he had it.

James Flynn
5 Posted 20/07/2017 at 18:28:31
Odd he's wearing the Shirt, but no mention of him signing.
Charlie Lloyd
6 Posted 20/07/2017 at 18:38:58
Phil, you seem a bit perturbed by these players being loaned out.

So Joe Williams has gone to Barnsley. Let's be honest here – he is probably about 7-8 choice in midfield. Should he stay part of the U23s which would take up a space from the emerging Baningime plus there is Walsh there or at 20 should he be tested at Championship level. I reckon he needs this loan away to establish himself. My fear is he is a very good prospect but may fall just a little short (eg, Bidwell, Forshaw). This loan could define that rather than letting him fester in U23 football for another season.

Same goes for Pennington too. At 22 he needs regular football at a decent level. If he shines at Leeds that good for us.

Galloway is a strange one. Being a left-/centre-back I'd have thought he would have stayed but it gives Connolly a chance and what if Koeman eyes a replacement for Funes Mori. Then Galloway would fester in U23 football possibly slowing the progress of the likes of Feeney, Foulds and Lewis Gibson if he signs.

Browning at 23 just needs games. His injuries have blighted him but I think Holgate and the new lad Markelo are probably seen as better long term prospects.

Kevin Prytherch
7 Posted 20/07/2017 at 19:03:38
A couple of years ago there was a young lad called Michael Keane.

On the fringes at a big club, he dropped down a level and he played in the Championship for a year, played well... then had an even better year in the Premier League.

Any one of these on loan could be 2 years off being a £25 million player. Similarly, any one could be the next Adam Forshaw.

James Marshall
8 Posted 20/07/2017 at 19:13:42
I hope we sign him just so we can call him J Zee.
Chris Gould
9 Posted 20/07/2017 at 19:24:02
I watched it, Chris. He is tall, fast and skillful with a great first touch. A couple pieces of skill were first class. I was really impressed with him seeing as he wouldn't have known any of his teammates or even trained with them.

It was an awful game with very few chances. Nobody created anything for him, but he almost scored from a sublime bit of skill and great turn of pace. Hard to believe he's only 16.

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
10 Posted 20/07/2017 at 19:41:48
is he the Dutch answer to Wayne Rooney?
Paul Kossoff
11 Posted 20/07/2017 at 20:00:03
James (#8), the last person I would call one of our players is after a talentless scum bag. You stick to your dodgy record collection and leave our players names alone! 😋😁😊
Neil Thomas
12 Posted 20/07/2017 at 21:50:46
Great surname for Scrabble!
Andrew James
13 Posted 20/07/2017 at 22:44:28
From what I watched earlier, he's got a bit of Lukaku about him when not in possession as he strolls around.

But then, as he got more involved, he was chasing about trying to get the ball, sliding in to block it and showing for his team mates.

Looks an intelligent player if nothing else as his movement was good.

Will Mabon
14 Posted 21/07/2017 at 04:27:46
Zirkzee has something there but got a little too nervous to show it, and not so fit as the others, also.

For me, the player most likely to make it based on that single viewing, is the left back, Stephen Duke-McKenna. Very promising.

I watched the whole game and enjoyed it. Of course, team shape and positioning are looser but some great technique on show. There was far too much long ball though.

Worst of all, what on earth has happened to players when it comes to crossed and dead balls? Shockingly bad for young pros at a top club. This ability seems to be diminishing at the upper levels of the game, too. Strange.

Alan McGuffog
15 Posted 21/07/2017 at 08:59:50
So... has he signed or wot?
Shane Corcoran
16 Posted 21/07/2017 at 09:28:29
More importantly, Michael Collins was playing.
Phil Walling
17 Posted 21/07/2017 at 10:32:54
Charley @6. We all know where the likes of Williams will end up – just as we knew the game was up for McAleny way before his 15th loan-out!

We are on our way towards becoming another Chelsea in this respect – sign any kid that moves then loan him out.

The truth is very few of our Academy kids ever get a decent crack of the whip apart from making up the squad in pre-season games. But who cares? We can now buy our way to success... or can we?

Peter Gorman
18 Posted 21/07/2017 at 11:41:23
Phil, our record is better than most. Think it may even be the best in the league. Does it matter so much to you whether a kid signs in at 11 or 16? Some will make it and others won't, it is good to have options as there are that many variables to a young man's development.
Jim Knightley
19 Posted 21/07/2017 at 11:50:53
Phil, would you prefer we don't invest in our youth set up? Ignore the next Stones?

Investment is fine and we must, and will, keep recruiting from the local area. If these players are good enough then they will impress enough, they can become better with the competition. Footballers do not become their best by having it easy, and that will not help them break into the first team either. They get to come through a great academy set up, and they will get a shot if they are good enough, or get a shot elsewhere in the lower league's.

I'm not going to feel sorry for them – it is a great career and we are a great club. We should not farm people like Chelsea do and we are not – we are just catching up with a lack of investment in our youth set up. A few have gone on loan to good clubs, because they are not ready for first team football with us and need game time.

We can not bridge the gap in front of us if we do not buy talents at a young age.

Sam Hoare
20 Posted 21/07/2017 at 12:21:20
"The truth is very few of our Academy kids ever get a decent crack of the whip apart from making up the squad in pre-season games"

What nonsense, Phil!! You've become even more negative this last year!

Didn't we give more minutes to Academy players last season than almost any other club?!Course its incredibly competitive and most won't make it but we had the likes of Tom Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate and of course Ross Barkley all getting plenty of game time last season.

Tony Abrahams
21 Posted 21/07/2017 at 12:35:57
Freeing up the Under-23s by sending the kids who are progressing well on loan is surely called progress, Phil?

Not many young kids get a chance in the Premier League now, so if they can go into the Championship and learn their trade for a season, it will tell Everton a lot about these players?

I reckon the club think they have got a really special bunch of youngsters right now, and I bet you they will also be on very good wages that probably only half these Championship clubs could match?

What's wages got to do with it? It means that the players are being well rewarded and it's keeping them out of arm's length away from a lot of clubs, who might be able to offer them first-team football.

It works for some, and for others they will just find their level. Ask Beckham?

Jeff Armstrong
22 Posted 21/07/2017 at 20:04:38
I think a couple of posters have been a bit harsh on Adam Forshaw. He has forged himself a top class career at Boro and was by far their best player at Goodison last season.
Barry Jones
23 Posted 24/07/2017 at 12:39:05
The loan system, if worked properly, should be mutually beneficial for both club and player.

The player gains valuable experience in a professional first team setting, albeit, usually at a lower level, and the club reaps the rewards on his return, enabling him to transition up to first team action if and when required.

Why the negativity?


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