Nathan Tjoe-A-On is lighting up the Eredivisie – but Willem II still dwell in the dark

In the summer of 2026, I had no recorder, only a blog and recklessness. I once sifted through 42 transfer rumours just to find 5 that had substance. Today, watching Nathan Tjoe-A-On's performances, I need a similar recklessness to separate from the wave of praise rising from Jakarta to Amsterdam. Nathan Tjoe-A-On, the 24-year-old Indonesian international left-back, is becoming the rare bright spot for Willem II in the 2026/27 Eredivisie season. After three rounds, his team sits 15th, with just one point from a 2-2 draw against Almere City. In their other two matches, they suffered 1-4 defeats against SC Heerenveen and NAC Breda. Yet amid that bleak picture, Nathan has contributed two assists, one in the opening match and one in the draw – both were goals that opened the scoring. Modern football is no stranger to the image of a full-back pushing high like a winger. Nathan did not invent this role, but he is executing it with remarkable effectiveness. In the Heerenveen match, he threaded a through-ball for his teammate to sprint and finish. In the Almere City match, he delivered a precise cross from the left. Two different types of assists, but the same clear attacking mindset. With 2 assists in 3 matches, his rate stands at 0.67 A/90 – well above the average for left-backs in the Eredivisie. Even Mateo Chavez, the league leader in this category, has only 3 assists, albeit in more matches. But does that figure of 2 assists truly reflect Nathan's value? Look at his minutes: he started all three matches, not as a tactical wildcard from the bench. In the NAC Breda match, even as the team fell apart, Nathan still made 6 defensive actions – 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 interceptions. That shows a player who does not shirk defensive duties. Yet Willem II conceded a total of 9 goals in 3 matches. Could Nathan's forward surges be leaving gaps in defence? The answer lies in a deeper tactical perspective. In the coach's system, Nathan may play as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3. With his crossing and through-passing qualities, he brings variety to attacking build-up. But when the team concedes 4 goals twice, it is clear his role cannot be separated from collective defensive responsibility. There is a harsh truth: Nathan's two assists did not bring any victory. The team lost both matches in which he made an impact. We hunt for news all day, but in the end, it is the news that hunts us. As Indonesian media are casting Nathan as the 'Southeast Asian hero', I am haunted by a question: is this story sustainable? With only 3 matches, the sample size is too small to assert anything with certainty. A 0.67 A/90 rate is attractive, but it could drop to 0.3 or lower if Willem II's forwards do not improve their finishing. Both of Nathan's assists were opening goals, meaning someone had to finish them. If finishing quality declines, his numbers become meaningless. From a transfer perspective, an Indonesian international shining in the Eredivisie is a valuable asset. But Willem II, a small club fighting relegation, will struggle to keep their star if bigger clubs come calling. That is both an opportunity and a risk. If Nathan maintains his form, a winter move could materialise. If Willem II are relegated, his market value could plummet. The presence of another Indonesian player, Dean James, in the match against Almere City also reveals a trend: Indonesian football has more representatives in the Netherlands than ever before. This is the result of deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations. Nathan and Dean James facing each other on Eredivisie pitches is an image Indonesian fans cannot help but feel proud of. But behind that pride lies the harsh reality of the European football market – where a player is only remembered when his team wins. On the data side, I want to emphasise that advanced numbers like xG, xA, or crossing accuracy are still insufficient to judge Nathan deeply. Two assists are the highlight, but his blind spot lies in defensive contribution. Six defensive actions in one match is a positive signal, but it is not enough to conclude that he is a complete defender. Eredivisie opponents can exploit the space behind him when his team struggles to hold possession. Indonesian media may be amplifying this story a little too much. 'Bikin Bangga Timnas Indonesia!' – that proud headline appears on many front pages. But pressure from home could create a mental burden for Nathan. When form dips, criticism will arrive immediately. Southeast Asian fans are famous for their passion, but equally for their harshness. Nathan must learn to live with that if he wants to thrive in the Netherlands. Nathan's story is not about two assists. It is about maintaining consistency in a fragile collective. Willem II must find a balance between attack and defence, or the season will become a desperate relegation battle. Nathan, at 24, is in the prime development phase of a footballer. He needs regular minutes, but in a tactically sound environment – not a team that just surges forward and collapses. From a broader perspective, Nathan's emergence is a testament to the depth of Indonesian football. If a left-back from Jakarta can make a mark in the Dutch top flight, then young Indonesian players have another model to aspire to. But to become a true icon, Nathan needs to do more than two assists in three matches. He needs to help his team earn points. There are contracts people remember by numbers, and there are those remembered by a smile when the ink dries. But for Nathan Tjoe-A-On, his story is being written in a fragile moment: individual talent against collective results. Can he continue to shine while Willem II sink into crisis? Does Indonesian football dare to bet on an attacking left-back in Europe's toughest environment? More than anyone, I understand that when the transfer window doors close, the emotions of those who stay truly open. Nathan is staying. Let us watch what he opens up.