Joshua Zirkzee: Bayern product scouted by ex-Nigeria coach Rohr named in provisional Netherlands squad

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has announced a provisional squad of thirty players for the national team's friendly games against Scotland and Germany with two new faces part of the group.

Bayern Munich product Joshua Zirkzee has been named in the preliminary list and will discover in the coming weeks whether or not he is in contention to make his senior debut for the Netherlands.

The Bologna striker is enjoying a breakout season, registering ten goals and six assists in twenty-eight matches across all competitions.

Zirkzee recently stated that he was open to representing Nigeria where his mother originally hails from and at the same time made it clear that his priority was to play for the Netherlands at the 2024 European Championship. 

The Schiedam native is provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth, having played in competitive matches for the European giants at U17, U19 and U21 levels.

Zirkzee was a player of interest to the Nigeria Football Federation during Gernot Rohr's reign as coach of the Super Eagles. 

Rohr saw firsthand the qualities of Zirkzee when he personally scouted him on his full Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim in February 2020. 

Even though Rohr had connections with Bayern Munich, his efforts to persuade the dual national to change his allegiance from the Netherlands to Nigeria were ultimately futile.

Zirkzee will not be cap-tied to the Netherlands if he earns minutes against Scotland and Germany as both games are friendlies. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: bolognafc.it
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