Jurrien Timber ‘suited for the Arsenal way’ but can he bounce back after tough year? -Inside Europe

The summer transfer window is well and truly upon us, and Kevin van Nunen of Eurosport Netherlands is once again here to give us the lowdown on a rising star of European football.

Timber, 22, was actually one of the hottest names of the transfer window last season when it seemed that his former manager Erik ten Hag would try to take the youngster with him to Old Trafford.

So, twelve months on, what do we need to know about Timber?

For those who might have forgotten, what are Timber’s strengths?

I think Timber’s strengths were more obvious last season, as he was one of the pillars of Ajax in securing the league title.

But if we put aside the poor form of Ajax this season and focus on the strengths of Timber, then it’s shutting down a striker, winning his one-on-one duels and simply being a reliable defender.

As an Ajax youth product of course, he can dribble and pass a ball as well, which makes him suited for the Arsenal way of play.

I think Ajax and Arsenal demand similar things from their defenders. If you don’t have any technique to deliver a ball to the midfield to say the least, Arsenal is not your club. But Timber is very comfortable on the ball.

Let’s talk about that Ajax season…

It was a really hard season for everyone at the club and I think eventually it did impact Timber’s form, but I don’t think he is to blame in any way.

As the season progressed, even Timber was subject of criticism and to be fair, he made some mistakes – or at least acted unconvincingly while defending, but so many things went wrong at Ajax… I don’t even want to start to sum up all the things that did go wrong as that could be its own article!

So can you blame a young defender who is trying to do his best? Some Ajax fans did, but I don’t think so. And possession wise, can you seriously blame Timber for the lack of creativity in the Ajax midfield? I’m certainly not going to blame him.

Last year you told us Timber wasn’t ready. Is he now?

As we said, Timber can’t look back and say this was the season he took a massive step forward. Is this specifically his fault? I think not, as Ajax were poor for most of the season. It was far below Ajax standards and although Timber (still only 22) in the first part of the season was able to rescue the team here and there, eventually he couldn’t save the day anymore and slumped backwards a little together with the whole team.

What didn’t help was that Ajax didn’t succeed in finding a good replacement for Lisandro Martinez and we all know what an impression he has made for Manchester United. Timber’s life as an Ajax defender suddenly got a lot more difficult in many ways.

After a successful Ten Hag era, the season turned out to be a lesson of humility for Ajax under his successor. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it can make you hungrier for fresh success in the future. In the meantime, Timber featured at the World Cup and played pretty well. He was preferred above Matthijs de Ligt, who didn’t have the best start to the season in Germany at Bayern Munich, but I think De Ligt overtook Timber again in the pecking order 2023 when the competitions started again after the winter break.

Is Timber ready for the Premier League? I still think he has the qualities to be a good Premier League defender, but will he overcome his setbacks of the last half season or so? Players who can fight back from a situation like this at Ajax are almost guaranteed a successful career, also at big future clubs because that is the kind of elite mentality you need at the top of sport.

Timber obviously hasn’t had the chance yet for a successful recovery, but he still is highly rated. Both by Ajax and clearly as well by Arsenal and Bayern given these transfer links. Who am I to say Timber isn’t good enough when clubs like Arsenal and Bayern are on the hunt and willing to pay big money?

I think Timber is good enough for the Premier League. But will he play 38 games as the new season starts and be a key player from the moment he wears the Arsenal jersey? I think that’s a little too much to ask, but Arsenal know how to handle these situations. It isn’t really a worry for me, I’m sure they will have a good plan in place.

And what about the fee? Will €30m-35m be enough?

Based on reports in the Dutch press, Ajax value Timber at around €60m (£51.3m). His contract runs for two more years so they do have a bit of leverage.

I can’t blame Ajax, especially when a club from the Premier League comes in. And when Arsenal and Bayern seriously have to compete to sign Timber… the price goes up and up so they will have every right to expect far more than what the English press is reporting.

Despite missing out on Champions League football, Ajax are still a very healthy club financially speaking, so why not try to make the most out of selling Timber? Eventually Timber will go, as Ajax regularly sell their best players, preferably to the biggest clubs for the biggest sums of money.