Zirkzee explains Edwards admiration

Our Dutch forward has previously suggested the American is his favourite sportsman and explained why he has such huge respect for the 24-year-old, who is nicknamed 'Ant Man' and being described as the best basketballer in the current game.

Edwards has also made headlines this week by suggesting he could switch sports, if he helps Minnesota win the NBA championship, as a fifth successive success, against the Toronto Raptors, keeps up their winning streak.

Edwards has expressed an ambition to try his hand at American football in the future, which has caused waves in his homeland.

"I'm trying to find a way to get a ring but, once I get one, I'll be cool," he said in a video posted on social media. "I'll probably go to play football. Especially, if I get one while I'm still young.

"If I get one before I turn 30, I'm definitely going to go and try to play football.

"Probably receiver, I might try to go quarterback. Probably back-up quarterback. I ain't really got to play unless my starter gets hurt!"

"It's just that he is exciting," Zirkzee told us recently. "And, you know, he just dares to do it. He's athletic and he doesn't give one. He doesn't care.

"He just goes and that is what I like.

"That's what I like, he's just ferocious, you know?"

Our no.11, who was denied a spectacular goal by a brilliant save from Aaron Ramsdale at Newcastle United last time out, showed his basketball skills in an NBA visit to Carrington last year.

"I'm pretty good," he added. "They guys on the team, though, you can ask the guys. They all know!"