Jurriën Timber to Manchester United Thread 🇳🇱
This thread will analyse why Ten Hag should do all he can to persuade Jurriën Timber to join Manchester United:
- Background
- Positions
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
Case studies will be used from UCL matches. Let’s go ⬇️
This thread will analyse why Ten Hag should do all he can to persuade Jurriën Timber to join Manchester United:
- Background
- Positions
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
Case studies will be used from UCL matches. Let’s go ⬇️
Background
Jurrien Timber was born on the 17th June 2001 and is a Netherlands international.
He has played for both Jong Ajax and Ajax in his senior career.
His major honours include 2 league titles (20/21,21/22), a domestic cup (20/21) and a Euro U17 Championship.
Jurrien Timber was born on the 17th June 2001 and is a Netherlands international.
He has played for both Jong Ajax and Ajax in his senior career.
His major honours include 2 league titles (20/21,21/22), a domestic cup (20/21) and a Euro U17 Championship.
Positions
Jurriën Timber has played the majority of this season as a centre-back, however he can also slot in as a right-back.
In the 21/22 Eredivisie season, he started as a CB in 26 of 29 matches, compared to just 3 as a RB.
Jurriën Timber has played the majority of this season as a centre-back, however he can also slot in as a right-back.
In the 21/22 Eredivisie season, he started as a CB in 26 of 29 matches, compared to just 3 as a RB.
Strengths
• Progressive passes
Timber ranks in the 99th percentile amongst CBs for forward passes, averaging over 6 progressive passes per game.
Let see how he compares to other CBs:
• Progressive passes
Timber ranks in the 99th percentile amongst CBs for forward passes, averaging over 6 progressive passes per game.
Let see how he compares to other CBs:
As you can see in the chart, Timber and Torres as the top two.
These CBs currently play in a more cohesive unit than United do, so the United players’ figures would likely rise under Ten Hag.
Our CBs have decent ability on ball, but Timber’s has proved superior this season.
These CBs currently play in a more cohesive unit than United do, so the United players’ figures would likely rise under Ten Hag.
Our CBs have decent ability on ball, but Timber’s has proved superior this season.
Video footage of Timber’s progressive strengths:
• Press resistance
Timber is technically gifted + comfortable in possession for a CB. He is a catalyst for Ajax’s first phase of build up play.
For instance, he dribbles out of a tight situation here and plays a wonderful lofted pass to Gravenberch.
Timber is technically gifted + comfortable in possession for a CB. He is a catalyst for Ajax’s first phase of build up play.
For instance, he dribbles out of a tight situation here and plays a wonderful lofted pass to Gravenberch.
• Reading of the game
One of Timber’s most noticeable strengths is the way he reads situations. Two different examples here.
Firstly, Timber understands the through ball will not reach Haaland.
Steps forward and intercepts.
One of Timber’s most noticeable strengths is the way he reads situations. Two different examples here.
Firstly, Timber understands the through ball will not reach Haaland.
Steps forward and intercepts.
Secondly, he is in the RB position, retreats, waits until the he gets the chance to put a foot in and defends the situation.
He has shown in UCL matches he is comfortable to defend channels, strong 1 vs 1. (92nd percentile for dribblers tackled)
He has shown in UCL matches he is comfortable to defend channels, strong 1 vs 1. (92nd percentile for dribblers tackled)
• Aggressive defending
Timber has proved not only in Eredivisie matches, but also in UEFA Champions League games, that he’s very aggressive out of possession.
Timber has proved not only in Eredivisie matches, but also in UEFA Champions League games, that he’s very aggressive out of possession.
During this same game however, Timber gets caught out.
He plays very much a high risk game, but his recovery pace enables him to take these risks. He gets back to ensure a 2 vs 1 against Haaland and the attack ends.
He plays very much a high risk game, but his recovery pace enables him to take these risks. He gets back to ensure a 2 vs 1 against Haaland and the attack ends.
Weaknesses
• Aerial ability
He is short for a CB (5ft 10), there are concerns about whether Timber would get dominated aerially in the Premier League.
For instance, he only wins around 50% of his aerial duels. This is low compared to Manchester United’s current CB options:
• Aerial ability
He is short for a CB (5ft 10), there are concerns about whether Timber would get dominated aerially in the Premier League.
For instance, he only wins around 50% of his aerial duels. This is low compared to Manchester United’s current CB options:
However, Timber ranks very highly in both blocks and dribblers tackled. He makes up for his shorter height through his excellent resilience.
Height is not the only variable to consider.
Here, he duels with Bellingham and clears the ball from danger.
Height is not the only variable to consider.
Here, he duels with Bellingham and clears the ball from danger.
If Ten Hag does deem Timber’s short height to be an issue, he is lucky in the sense that some of United’s current defenders are strong aerially.
For example, Diogo Dalot ranks in the 95th percentile amongst full backs, winning on average 2/3 of his aerial duels.
For example, Diogo Dalot ranks in the 95th percentile amongst full backs, winning on average 2/3 of his aerial duels.
Also, as shown earlier in the bar chart on aerial ability, Maguire is very strong in the air.
In terms of all duels won, Varane has been very strong this season too (see graphic below).
Therefore, if Timber is employed as a CB, he should be supported strongly by team mates.
In terms of all duels won, Varane has been very strong this season too (see graphic below).
Therefore, if Timber is employed as a CB, he should be supported strongly by team mates.
There is also the argument that the Premier League has become a lot more technical over the years, with fewer teams playing “route one” football with a target man.
Aerial dominance is still important, but having a skilled ball playing centre-back is vital for Ten Hag.
Aerial dominance is still important, but having a skilled ball playing centre-back is vital for Ten Hag.
His role in Ten Hag’s system
This depends whether he’s used as a CB or RB.
This image via @coachdogge depicts the famous 2-3-5 in possession for Ajax.
TWO- 2 CBs
THREE- 2 FBs and 6
FIVE - 2 CMs, 2 wide players and ST
This depends whether he’s used as a CB or RB.
This image via @coachdogge depicts the famous 2-3-5 in possession for Ajax.
TWO- 2 CBs
THREE- 2 FBs and 6
FIVE - 2 CMs, 2 wide players and ST
Jurriën Timber would be comfortable in either role.
In the case of a CB, he could step out and be aggressive in the ball bypassed the second line of three. He could also use his strong positioning sense and 1 on 1 defending to stop or slow down counter attacks.
In the case of a CB, he could step out and be aggressive in the ball bypassed the second line of three. He could also use his strong positioning sense and 1 on 1 defending to stop or slow down counter attacks.
In the case of a RB, he would be playing in an inverted role, hence his ability on the ball would allow him to contribute to the later phases of Ajax’s attacks.
Also, his progressive carrying skill permits him to dribble past players, opening up more spaces for team mates.
Also, his progressive carrying skill permits him to dribble past players, opening up more spaces for team mates.
Obviously, the biggest advantage of bringing Timber to United is that Ten Hag and Timber have a previous working relationship.
Quoting Ten Hag: "He's another great leader that was trained at Ajax. Besides his football skills, he has the personality to become a captain."
Quoting Ten Hag: "He's another great leader that was trained at Ajax. Besides his football skills, he has the personality to become a captain."
Thank you for reading this analysis. Please like, retweet and share the thread around if you enjoyed.
I hope to see Jurriën Timber change his mind and become a Manchester United player soon. If not this summer, then after the World Cup or next summer.
I hope to see Jurriën Timber change his mind and become a Manchester United player soon. If not this summer, then after the World Cup or next summer.
Just a heads up:
I had already worked on this thread before news came out about Timber’s preference to stay at Ajax at the moment.
But I didn’t want to waste all the work I did, so i decided to post this.
I had already worked on this thread before news came out about Timber’s preference to stay at Ajax at the moment.
But I didn’t want to waste all the work I did, so i decided to post this.
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