Jurrien Timber: the defender Chelsea could line up to replace Thiago Silva
Karan Tejwani
- 6 Aug 2022 13:00 BST
- 4 min read
The Eredivisie is a big talent hub, and something work exploring for Chelsea, as they look to build a solid side in the coming years and challenge at domestic and European level.
The Blues have been in the market for a centre-half this summer, and could be doing the same next year as Thiago Silva approaches the final years of his career.
Silva has been at Chelsea since 2020, and has even won the Champions League and captained the side, but at 38, he may just be in his final season at Stamford Bridge.
This year, Thomas Tuchel’s side have brought in Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella to bolster their defence and replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
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Ajax could have an answer to Chelsea's problems
They could be finding another replacement in a year’s time, and they may not have to look any further than Ajax’s Jurrien Timber, who has been growing from strength to strength.
Timber was a target for Manchester United this summer, having previously excelled under Erik ten Hag, but that move didn’t happen as the defender preferred a stay at Ajax to ensure game time.
Over the course of his career at Ajax, Timber has been well-regarded for his qualities on the ball and his brilliant passing range, which fits in well with Ajax’s style of play.
At Ajax, all players are required to have some qualities with a ball at their feet, and that is also the case with the defenders, who often start plays and break lines with their passing range.
Timber can also play in two positions – centre-back and right-back – and Ten Hag once believed that he could do a job in midfield if required, but never attempted it himself.
One of the big concerns when he was linked to Manchester United was that his physicality would get exposed in the Premier League, but that’s where Tuchel would be an advantage.
The German boss deploys a back-three system, which would benefit him greatly and give him more cover, allowing Timber to express himself when he plays in the side.
'𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴' 📈 pic.twitter.com/sDGISkg4Gy
— Jurrien Timber (@JurrienTimber) August 1, 2022
Tuchel also has a great reputation for improving defenders, aided by his tactical style, and that has been evident in players such as Silva, Rudiger, Marquinhos and more over the years.
Indeed, the lack of height may be a problem – he stands at 1.79 metres tall – but his qualities are there to make up for it, and with help from those around him, things could work out positively.
Timber is one player Chelsea would want to keep an eye on this year – he’s young, talented, and worthy of playing at a Champions League club, and a deal with Ajax would be a shrewd move.
The trajectory he is on, he is likely to be at the World Cup and could get more of a chance to show his talents in Qatar, making a quick move for him imperative.
It’s likely that Manchester United will still be interested in buying Timber next year, meaning that Chelsea, or any other club, will have to plan this well if they are to get their man.
