Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United gestures during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former striker Jeda explains why Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee would be ‘the ideal forward’ for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma.
With current centre-forward Artem Dovbyk out of action until early 2026, plus Paulo Dybala, Leon Bailey and Evan Ferguson also carrying issues, the Giallorossi are looking to the transfer market in January for reinforcements.
Zirkzee has been mentioned as a potential target, having Serie A experience at Bologna and Parma, with a lack of regular playing time at Manchester United.
Gasperini has very particular demands of his forwards and Jeda knows that well, having worked with him at Crotone, scoring 15 goals in 42 Serie B games during the 2005-06 campaign.
Zirkzee well suited to Gasperini’s style
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on October 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“Zirkzee would be the ideal forward for Gasperini’s Roma, because he has good feet, strong technique, and manages to attack the space,” Jeda told Retesport.
“Dovbyk could be regenerated under Gasp, who was working on his fitness levels and his movements. However, if there are two strikers who are struggling to score, then you need to look around and find someone more suited to the role.”
WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on before the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Roma create numerous scoring opportunities, but they have not had a good conversion rate so far this season.
“They played most of the game in the Milan half, but didn’t attack the space enough to really do damage. Gasperini wants his forwards to combine with their teammates, be quick and intense in the movement, have first touch passes to open up the space for the wingers to come in.”
Despite the lack of a figure with those characteristics, Roma are still top of the Serie A table alongside Inter after eight wins and three defeats.
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