Former England and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips regards Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm as one of the most technically gifted players he played alongside.
PUMA South Africa played host to Manchester City on their global trophy tour, with the Premier League and FA Cup trophies, accompanied by former player Wright-Phillips.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea star was full of praise for Timm, having spent time playing with the Pirates star at USA outfit Phoenix Rising.
The 32-year-old, Timm spent two years playing for the Arizona outfit before parting ways with the club and returning to the South African top-flight to join Chippa United.
“I have a friend here in South Africa who I played with while I was in Arizona and his name is Miguel Timm,” said Wright-Phillips.
“He plays for Orlando Pirates here in South Africa now but for me he is a phenomenal footballer and for someone of his ability he should have achieved a lot more in his career.
“This is because there are not too many footballers that I played with, especially in the US, with the same level of football IQ as him. He is getting older now and if you have him in that midfield area it is a plus.
“I was a winger, so I always knew he would get the ball to me and I didn’t even need to shout. All I needed was to make the right move and the ball would be there for me to attack.”
Wright-Phillips was also impressed by Timm’s personality.
“I think he is fantastic, even if you have him around the dressing room the younger kids could learn a lot from him. I have been surprised [he is not playing for the national team], but like I said it also depends on what clubs you are at.
“England used to be like that. For me to be able to get into the national team on a permanent basis, I had to leave the club that I loved.”
Wright-Phillips went on to further state that Timm is the “best South African player” and believes the younger and upcoming players can learn a lot from him.
“I’m telling you the best South African player, I’m gonna keep saying the same, Miguel Timm,” he added.
“I was at the embassy yesterday and I met the Cape Town owners, and the first thing I said is, ‘When are you going to sign Miguel Timm? You have to sign him, honestly’.
“I think he’s getting older. But if you have him in that midfield area, for me, I was a winger at the time, I played in midfield sometimes, I always knew he could get me the ball. I didn’t even need to shout. I literally would just make a move and the ball would be there by my feet.
“I think he’s fantastic. So even if you have him around the dressing room, the younger kids can learn off him,” Wright-Phillips concluded.
