Jurrien Timber has spoken about the impact senior defenders had on his development, admitting that he learned a great deal from experienced internationals Stefan de Vrij and Virgil van Dijk during his time with the Netherlands national team.
The young defender explained that training alongside players who have performed consistently at the highest level helped him understand the finer details of defending. According to Timber, observing how de Vrij positions himself and how van Dijk controls the defensive line gave him insights that go beyond basic tactical instructions.
“Then I was able to learn mostly from Stefan de Vrij and Virgil van Dijk,” Timber said when reflecting on his early experiences in the national setup. He highlighted their calmness, decision-making, and leadership as key traits that influenced his own approach on the pitch.
Timber also noted that both players set an example through their professionalism in training and matches. Their communication, anticipation, and ability to read the game were aspects he actively tried to absorb and apply to his own performances.
With the Netherlands preparing for major international competitions, Timber believes the lessons learned from senior figures will be crucial as he continues to develop and take on more responsibility. He remains focused on improving his consistency and adapting his game to the demands of top-level football.