Nearly a year on from his arrival in England, Philip Zinckernagel has firmly embraced life in a new country and in a new league.
The Dane arrived at Watford last January with a burgeoning reputation. It was his 19 goals and 14 assists in only 28 league outings which helped Bodø/Glimt to their first ever Norwegian title in 2020.
Zinckernagel’s one goal and five assists in 20 games for The Hornets in the second half of last season saw Xisco Muñoz’s side win automatic promotion to the Premier League, culminating in a perfect start to life in England for the midfielder.
As Watford prepared for life back in the top-flight, though, the next step for him would be to gain further experience away from Vicarage Road, leading to a loan move to The City Ground on the eve of the new season. It didn’t take long for the 27-year-old to showcase his ability, either.
After making his Forest bow as a substitute against Coventry City on opening day, his full debut for The Reds would follow a few days later against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup, where he laid on two assists for João Carvalho in a 2-1 victory.
He would then register a third assist on his second Forest start, producing a wicked free-kick delivery for Scott McKenna to head home against Bournemouth, before netting his first goal in the Garibaldi against Blackburn the following game. One goal and three assists in his first three starts, the definition of hitting the ground running.
“Maybe it was too good of a start!” Zinckernagel joked, as he sat down with Forest Review.
“When you start well, you need to follow up on it, but it was great. My first home game in the cup, to get two assists was a good feeling and the atmosphere was fantastic.”
Fast forward four months since his arrival on Trentside and Zinckernagel remains an influential player under the tutelage of Steve Cooper.
The Dane has contributed to 10 goals so far this campaign, producing six assists and scoring four himself, and in some style too.
Last weekend, he opened the scoring against Swansea with a sumptuous effort which nestled into the top corner following an exchange with Lewis Grabban. A fortnight ago, he drifted around two Reading defenders before arrowing an effort into the bottom corner of Luke Southwood’s net to send another packed away end into raptures.
“My favourite goal must be the one against Reading, that was a nice moment,” he continued.
“As an offensive player, though, you’re never really happy. You always strive for more.
“Six assists is okay, but I would like to score a few more goals. For the team, I hope we can get into the top-six or get as close as possible, but for myself, I want to score more goals and be involved in more assists.
“I came here to play minutes regularly, that’s an important factor, but I really just want to improve.”
Zinckernagel’s productivity in the final third has helped play an instrumental role in guiding The Reds up the table under Steve Cooper, with his side now sitting on the fringes of the play-off places.
The Reds find themselves unbeaten in their last eight games, unbeaten in their last nine matches away from home and sat eighth in the league standings having lost only one of their previous 15 outings.
There is plenty for the Dane to be happy about, then, as he gears up for a hectic schedule over the festive period.
“I’ve enjoyed it a lot,” he added. “I feel really at home.
“I have a great house, my girlfriend is happy and the city is nice. There’s a lot of nice shops and small coffee places and places to eat, so it’s been very positive.“ I like the way we play, I like the manager, I like the group of boys, and I feel at home whenever I’m here.
“The fans have also been amazing. They have massive support for us, and it is a huge joy to play in front of them. It’s one of the reasons I came to England, to play in front of fans like this. We really have the best in the league.
“You can feel they are proud and expect a lot, which is something we try to enjoy and bring with us a force instead of turning it against us. A lot of clubs have fans who only show up when it’s going great, but our fans are always with us.”
FIRSTS AND LASTS
First boots?
Puma Kings
First footballing idol?
David Beckham
First football shirt?
Barcelona. My Dad used to live in Barcelona, so it would be that one
First album you bought?
50 Cent
First car?
Fiat 500
First phone?
Nokia
First foreign holiday?
Gran Canaria
First footballing memory?
I grew up playing for FC Copenhagen, the biggest club in Denmark. One of the games in their national stadium
First concert?
Drake in Copenhagen
Last film you watched at the cinema?
House of Gucci
Last Netflix series you watched?
I’m watching some Danish show right now. Squid Game is nice, I can’t believe Lewis called it horrendous
Last order at Nandos?
Chicken burger
Last video game you played?
Red Dead Redemption 2
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