Arsenal's Jurrien Timber found himself at the centre of a media debate following his latest outing for the Netherlands national team. The defender played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Poland in Warsaw on Friday, but his performance garnered a mixed bag of reviews from Dutch press outlets.
A Draw That Seals the Deal
The Dutch side needed a second-half equaliser from Memphis Depay to secure a point away from home. While not the victory manager Ronald Koeman desired, the result has all but guaranteed the Netherlands' place at next year's World Cup.
The Oranje currently sit top of their qualifying group with an impressive 17 points, remaining undefeated throughout the campaign. They also hold a significant goal difference advantage over Poland. This means a simple draw in their final match against Lithuania will mathematically confirm their automatic qualification.
Timber's Performance Under the Microscope
Timber was named in the starting lineup by Koeman, but he was deployed in an unfamiliar role. The Arsenal star started at centre-back alongside Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, rather than in his usual right-back position. This tactical decision led to contrasting analyses from the national media.
Voetbal International and Voetbal Primeur both handed Timber a rating of 6 out of 10. Voetbal Primeur noted that he was "not as convincing" as in previous games, pointing out that he was "fooled by [Robert] Lewandowski" for Poland's opening goal. The outlet also suggested his aggressive pushing at times left the Dutch defence exposed.
In a more positive assessment, Football Oranje gave Timber a 6.5 out of 10, the highest rating among the Netherlands' defenders. Their analysis stated he was "good at the back and strong when he was moved to right back in the second half."
De Ligt Left on the Bench
Timber's continued presence in the heart of the Dutch defence has had significant consequences for his international teammate. For the second consecutive international camp, Timber's selection at centre-back meant Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt was left on the bench as an unused substitute.
This marks a notable shift in the pecking order, with Timber having also started in the position during October's international fixtures against Malta and Finland, where he helped secure two clean sheets in 4-0 victories.
Koeman recently recalled De Ligt to the squad after omitting him previously, explaining his decision was based on the player's improved club form and confidence. "I felt I had to select him based on his performance," Koeman said. "He's been through a difficult period. There's also more peace and quiet at the club now, and they're performing better." Despite this recall, it was Timber who retained the manager's trust for the crucial qualifier in Warsaw.
