Koevermans backs De Jong as Roma circle Timber

Koevermans: 'Frenkie gets kicked too much'

Danny Koevermans has had enough. The former Oranje striker went public defending Frenkie de Jong, who faces up to four months out with a knee injury sustained at the World Cup. "He gets kicked around too often," Koevermans said, pushing back against criticism that has followed De Jong since the tournament (1). The Barcelona midfielder remains your team's most important player, and Koevermans made it plain: when fit, De Jong still walks into this side.

Roma eye Timber as cut-price Koné replacement

AS Roma have Quinten Timber on their radar. The Serie A side sent scouts to watch the Oranje international, seeing him as a cheaper option to fill the gap left by Manu Koné after the World Cup (2). Timber, 25, has been a fixture in the Netherlands setup and would be available for a fee well below what top-tier midfielders are commanding this summer. No formal bid yet, but the interest is concrete.