Dutch giants AFC Ajax proceed to occupy a spot within the high echelon of youth improvement throughout world soccer for almost the whole lot of their illustrious historical past.
Although they’ve misplaced the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt whereas could possibly be in line to half methods with midfield starlet Ryan Gravenberch amid serious interest from Bayern Munich, de Godenzonen at all times are able to having one other younger participant able to step into the breach.
One such participant that has achieved so within the final two years has been academy graduate Jurriën Timber.
The Utrecht-native spent 6-years within the academy arrange at Feyenoord earlier than ending his schooling throughout 4 years at Ajax earlier than breaking into the first-team arrange in the course of the 2019-20 season. Since then, Timber has quickly risen by the ranks below Erik ten Hag and is now an undisputed first-choice choice on the Johan Cruijff Area.
Ajax centre-back, Jurriën Timber (20):
“I wish to play for prizes; that’s why I say #ManCity now [over Barcelona]. Barcelona has a much less good interval in the meanwhile. I plan to remain right here for some time. But when @ManCity calls, what ought to I do?”
[@FCUpdate_nl via @Sport_Witness] pic.twitter.com/h4VWszKPRr
— Metropolis Report (@cityreport_) March 23, 2022
Timber is at the moment within the Dutch nationwide group camp below Louis van Gaal as Oranje are set for a pair of friendlies in opposition to Denmark and bitter rivals Germany starting this weekend, however the Ajax teen took time out to reflect on what his potential next port of call could be ought to he depart the Dutch giants sooner or later.
“I wish to play for prizes; that’s why I say Metropolis now. Barcelona has a much less good interval in the meanwhile. I need to develop as a participant, use my time at Ajax to grow to be even higher. At Ajax, you need to be completely satisfied if you’re within the beginning line-up; that’s why I need to get pleasure from this time consciously.”
“I play for the prizes right here; there is no such thing as a higher place to be. Ajax was at all times my dream membership; I additionally slept below an Ajax cover. I plan to remain right here for some time. But when Manchester Metropolis calls, what ought to I do?”
Timber a part of subsequent wave of rising Dutch stars below Van Gaal
The Netherlands took a serious step in making an attempt to rebuild their nationwide platform after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after crossing the end line forward of Turkey and Norway in a aggressive Group G that so almost noticed the Dutch have to undergo the playoff tree make it to subsequent winters international spectacle.
However for a nation that has lengthy had one of many nice influences on the game on a worldwide scale, the Netherlands shockingly didn’t qualify for World Cup 2018 whereas being dumped out of the spherical of 16 at Euro 2020 by the hands of the Czech Republic after Oranje gained all three group stage matches.
Legendary supervisor Louis van Gaal was introduced again into the fold as soon as once more in service for his nation, and the Dutch have gotten on effectively below the previous Champions League-winning headmaster, successful 5 of their seven matches below his command whereas drawing the opposite two.
ZEIST – (lr) Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Donyell Malen, Jordan Teze or Denzel Dumfries, Steven Bergwijn, Noa Land, Jurrien Timber throughout a coaching session of the Dutch nationwide group on the KNVB Campus on March 21, 2022 in Zeist, The Netherlands. The Dutch nationwide group is making ready for the pleasant matches in opposition to Denmark and Germany. KOEN VAN WEEL (Picture by ANP through Getty Photographs)
As is custom with the Dutch, one other cadre of younger gamers continues to push for locations within the nationwide group setup, and Timber is one among eight gamers aged twenty-three or youthful.
Other than Timber, that checklist contains the likes of PSV starlet Cody Gakpo, Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen, mercurial Membership Brugge winger Noa Lang, AZ Alkmaar standout left-back Owen Wijndal, and, after all, Matthijs de Ligt.
Others not included within the present group embody Jeremie Frimpong, Devyne Rensch, Ryan Gravenberch, and Calvin Stengs.
Although the Dutch have been a shadow of their former selves in current seasons if any nation can get again on observe in scintillating trend, it’s Clockwork Orange.