Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber has a good chance of being Virgil van Dijk’s partner for the Netherlands at the World Cup.
That’s according to analyst Hans Kraay Jr, [via Mee Met Oranje](https://www.meemetoranje.nl/nederlands-elftal/nieuws/hans-kraay-jr-voorspelt-wk-basisspeler-die-nu-nog-wordt-genegeerd-bij-oranje/), who believes the Arsenal defender has helped his cause greatly during the international break, despite only playing 28 minutes.
Timber was again part of the Netherlands squad for this international break but was left on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Poland and only managed 28 minutes in the 3-2 win over Lithuania.
Unlike at the Emirates, where he is now the first choice right-back, he is yet to establish himself for his country, with 19 appearances to date since his debut in 2021. That is partly due to his long-term absence with a cruciate ligament injury, of course.
Ronal Koeman appears to prefer other options to him, though, with Denzel Dumfries at right back and a combination of Stefan De Vrij and Jan Paul van Hecke partnering Van Dijk in the centre-back slots.
Micky van de Ven and Nathan are also a centre-back options in the four-man backline, although they often play at left-back.
Kraay Jr, though, believes Timber could be the man picked for the slot alongside the Liverpool star when the World Cup comes around.
“I think he has a very good chance of becoming Virgil’s partner. Van Dijk is big and strong, Timber is quick and also has a slightly quicker shot between the lines than Van Dijk,” he said on ESPN.
“I see Van Hecke doing that a lot at Brighton, but he’s less daring to do it here with the Dutch national team. I can see Timber becoming Van Dijk’s partner.
“He (Koeman) didn’t think Van Hecke was good and De Vrij was his number two. But after today, Timber might just be number one.”