Indonesia opens the door to welcome 3 naturalized superstars, including Mourinho's protégé

Coach John Herdman’s public strategy to utilize players of Indonesian descent abroad is creating the possibility for Garuda to add three high-quality names on the path towards the 2030 World Cup.

Right at his introduction in Jakarta, the new head coach of the Indonesian national team - John Herdmansent a clear message that the national team’s door is always open to players with Indonesian blood playing overseas. According to him, to compete at the continental level and beyond on the world stage, Indonesia needs to incorporate players who are active in top-level environments.

Herdman emphasized that his career-long philosophy is “to go far, you need players from tier one and tier two, those familiar with the pressure of top competitions”, considering this as the foundation for Garuda’s 2030 World Cup dream.

This statement indicates that naturalization remains a crucial part of Indonesia’s long-term strategy. Among the names mentioned by experts, Jayden Oosterwolde stands out the most.

The defender, born in 2001 and currently playing for Fenerbahce, has an impressive physique and extensive experience competing in Europe. Developed at FC Twente’s academy, having played in Italy before moving to Turkey, Oosterwolde has nearly 90 appearances for Fenerbahce across various tournaments.

He carries Indonesian, Dutch, and Surinamese heritage and has admitted “he has never said no to Indonesia, it was just never the right time”. Oosterwolde’s strength lies in his versatility, being able to play as a left-back, center-back, and midfielder, which fits modern tactical demands very well.

The second name is Tristan Gooijer, a 2004-born player currently on loan at PEC Zwolle from Ajax. With a grandmother from Maluku, Gooijer is highly rated for his ability to play multiple positions in defense and midfield. This flexibility makes him an ideal depth option, similar to previous naturalized players Indonesia has used in three- or five-defender formations.

The third case is Jenson Seelt, a nearly two-meter-tall center-back currently contracted to Sunderland and on loan at VfL Wolfsburg. Seelt’s grandfather is from Ambon; he trained at PSV before moving to England. He gained attention early by starting in the Premier League in the 2025/2026 season, showing great potential in aerial duels and challenges.

If all three complete their naturalization procedures, the Indonesian national team will gain important pieces in terms of physique, experience, and squad depth. This move is seen as a clear ambition by Garuda to elevate their status not only in Southeast Asia but also on the Asian and global football stage.