Newcastle target Manzambi 'wants to improve every single day'

[Getty Images] Johan Manzambi mapped it all out. The determined midfielder had his sights set on the 2026 World Cup before he even made his debut for Freiburg or won his first senior cap for Switzerland. Manzambi was therefore never going to just settle for a place in the squad once he got there. The 20-year-old instead relished this grand stage as one of the tournament's breakout stars. Manzambi missed Switzerland's last-16 win over Colombia with a knee injury and it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to feature against holders Argentina in the quarter-finals, but he has already made tournament history after becoming the youngest player to chalk up five goal involvements at a World Cup since records began in 1966. It feels like this is just the start for the Newcastle target, with close friend Yann Sturm saying: "I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more from him over the coming years." It has been quite a rise. But Manzambi's thirst to get better quickly caught the eye at Freiburg as he rose through the ranks following his move from Swiss side Servette in 2023. After one particularly draining training session with the reserves went on far longer than planned, Manzambi even asked the then Freiburg II manager Benedetto Muzzicato if he could go over the gameplan again because it "didn't feel right". "He wants to improve every single day," Muzzicato said. "If anything, you have to slow him down rather than motivate him." Among players in the Bundesliga in his position in 2025-26, Manzambi ranked first for 10-plus metre progressive carries (116), shot-ending carries (13) and fouls won (78) as opponents tried to stop him. He was second for total take-ons (71), opposition half take-ons (52) and total carry progress (2,476 metres). Read more on why Newcastle target Manzambi is in demand