What Newcastle fans can expect from Johan Manzambi as transfer from Freiburg nears completion | OneFootball

SC Freiburg and Switzerland prodigy Johan Manzambi is on the verge of joining Newcastle United, with multiple reports claiming that the two clubs have agreed a deal worth around €60 million for the 20-year-old.

If everything goes according to plan for the Magpies, Manzambi will sign a long-term contract after the World Cup.

Before suffering a knee injury ahead of Switzerland’s round-of-16 penalty shootout victory over Colombia, Manzambi certainly caught the eye at the tournament, racking up three goals and two assists in four appearances.

His impressive World Cup performances have certainly not come out of nowhere, with the 20-year-old having established himself as a key figure for SC Freiburg since joining the club from the youth ranks of Swiss side Servette in January 2023.

Florian Först, a scouting expert at German football site Kickfieber.de, has followed Manzambi’s development for several years and rates the midfielder extremely highly.

“His early step up to senior football came as no surprise, nor did his Bundesliga debut at the age of 18 during the season before last. The Swiss youngster shone even at such an early stage of his career; Newcastle fans can look forward to a real gem of a midfielder,” Först told Bulinews.com.

Describing the versatile midfielder, Först says Manzambi is “primarily a box-to-box player with a high work rate and strong physical presence."

"In the Bundesliga, his runs were at times even feared; thanks to his power, close ball control, agility, and ability to hold his own, he frequently broke through tackles and covered significant ground. Consequently, he was one of the top players in his position last season in terms of progressive runs," Först said, adding that the 20-year-old has also “excelled in attack”.

“He particularly impressed with his clean passing, which included highly intelligent deliveries to his teammates. He always kept his head up, rarely missing a teammate in a better position. Added to this was his excellent positioning in and around the penalty area, combined with the finishing ability he recently showcased at the World Cup. His shooting technique also makes him a constant threat from distance.”

As Först points out, Manzambi didn't neglect his defensive responsibilities either, winning more than 290 duels last season and coming out on top in the majority of his one-on-one battles.

“England is in for a real treat”

While Manzambi excels in several areas, Först believes there are still aspects of the 20-year-old’s game that can be further developed.

“While his general passing is reliable and his progressive runs are excellent, there is definitely still work to be done on his progressive passing game. This is an area where Manzambi can certainly still improve to become an even more well-rounded player,” he explained.

“He can also refine his defensive positioning and needs to demonstrate his qualities more consistently if he wants to establish himself as a regular starter in a league as tough as the Premier League.”

Overall, though, Först believes there is every reason for Newcastle fans to be excited about the prospect of Manzambi soon becoming a Magpie.

“Newcastle fans can – and should – get ready for one of Europe’s most exciting players, as Manzambi possesses all the attributes needed to develop into a world-class talent in the Premier League. Moreover, the versatile midfielder is always capable of producing a special, unexpected moment of magic that is sure to leave both spectators and teammates in awe. If Manzambi stays injury-free and remains as grounded and eager to learn as he was in Freiburg, England is in for a real treat," he concluded.

Först also recently shared his thoughts on Bazoumana Touré following the Ivorian winger’s move from Hoffenheim to Newcastle. Read what he had to say about him here.