Johan Manzambi, Swiss breakout captivating Europe’s elite, targets Colombia test for last-eight push | OneFootball

Johan Manzambi has emerged as Switzerland’s World Cup revelation, and to reach the quarter-finals they must beat Colombia on Tuesday at 22:00. The 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder has been central to their charge.

El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that Premier League clubs Newcastle, Manchester United, Arsenal and Xabi Alonso’s new Chelsea are tracking him, with PSG and Bayern Munich also interested. His market valuation is 50 million euros and climbing.

He needed only two matches to force his way into the Swiss XI. The turning point came against Bosnia and Herzegovina, when he entered on 70 minutes and hit a brace in a 4-1 win.

Handed a first start in the third group game, he produced a goal and an assist to see off Canada. In the round of 32 against Algeria, he set up Breel Embolo’s opener to send Switzerland into the last 16.

This followed a breakthrough club season, 47 appearances for Freiburg and a run to the Europa League final, lost to Aston Villa. He was named the tournament’s best young player.

Born in Geneva in 2005 to parents who fled conflict and persecution in Congo and Angola, Manzambi first wanted to be a goalkeeper. Family nudged him outfield, and he joined Servette aged four. He moved to Freiburg at 17 and, after shining for the reserves, Julian Schuster gave him a senior debut in September 2024. Now he is a box-to-box force, quick in one-on-ones, a goal threat and defensively sound across multiple attacking roles.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo