Ronald de Boer and Kenneth Perez are impressed by what Jurriën Timber is showing in Ajax’s main force this season. The nineteen-year-old defender has displaced Perr Schuurs from the center of the rearguard and played a strong match against AZ on Sunday afternoon (2-0 win). However, at 1.79 meters, Timber does not have much height, which, according to Perez, could be a problem if he wants to make a transfer abroad in the future.
De Boer commented on Sunday This was the Weekend notes that Timber has slipped into the Ajax base ‘slowly and inconspicuously’ this season. “He has played 26 games, 20 of which are in the base,” said the former international, who is impressed by the qualities of the talent. De Boer has known Timber for some time from the Ajax youth academy. “He is so calm and comfortable on the ball. He dares to dribble and in my eyes he is incredibly duel strong, I saw that in my youth. He is a checkered guest, stands firmly on his feet. ”
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Timber regularly played in midfield in Ajax’s youth academy. “He sometimes held the ball for too long there, he did learn that here. He has grown so unbelievably. He also had the most conquests today: eleven. ” According to De Boer, Timber is going through ‘a great season’ and he is an indispensable part of Erik ten Hag’s team. “He is emphatically present.” Perez is also impressed by Timber, but sees his height as a disadvantage. “We’ve had this discussion a few times already. People always turn up with Fabio Cannavaro. But Cannavaro was world top ”, he said during the program of ESPN about the former defender, who played for Real Madrid with his 1.75 meters and won the Ballon d’Or in 2006. “It’s a drawback. Ready. There is no other way. ”
“Of course he also wanted to be six, seven or eight centimeters taller,” added De Boer. The former player of Ajax and Barcelona, among others, thinks Timber should be picky at any next club. “He should not play for a team that will be in the box. He is doing very well as a right back, he can do that too. But as a center-back he has to play for an attacking team, such as Ajax. Then you have room in the back. He can play that very well, because he is fast and capable of handling the ball. ”
Perez maintains that Timber’s length is a disadvantage. “If you look at all the central defenders in the world; in all top teams no one is below 1.85 meters. That could be a problem for the top. ” Perez thinks Timber is strong in the field of ball skills and technique. “It sounds crazy when you talk about that with a central defender, but it is also nice when you have someone with a nice play-in pass. For me, a central defender doesn’t have to be able to do tricks, but to play a good pass to the midfielder on the right leg, “Perez said.