Free extension for sports fans

“Shouldn’t be written off” – Crystal Palace man backed after usual international jibes

It’s not an international break if a Dutch player isn’t facing some form of criticism from Valentijn Driessen. This week it was Crystal Palace’s Quinten Timber. He found himself in the journalist’s firing line for his performance in the 2-2…

Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 11:28 AM
“Shouldn’t be written off” – Crystal Palace man backed after usual international jibes
Key Things to Know
  • Arno Vermeulen defended Crystal Palace's Quinten Timber following criticism from Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen.
  • Driessen had criticized Timber's performance in the Netherlands' 2-2 Nations League draw with Germany.
  • Vermeulen praised Timber's defensive work, dynamism, and ability to disrupt midfield patterns on ESPN's Voetbalpraat.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Crystal Palace midfielder Quinten Timber has received defense from former NOS head of football Arno Vermeulen following public criticism of his international display. Journalist Valentijn Driessen had previously labeled Timber the worst performer among Dutch players during the Netherlands' 2-2 Nations League draw against Germany, arguing that the team's overall build-up play was sluggish.

Speaking on ESPN's Voetbalpraat, Vermeulen disputed the criticism and stated that Timber played well, highlighting his dynamism, defensive work rate, and ability to break patterns in midfield. Timber was subsequently placed on the bench for the Netherlands' fixture against Serbia, featuring for the final ten minutes alongside his brother.

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.