Tactical Tension: Former Defender Warns John Herdman Over Baggott-Idzes Pairing

The return of Elkan Baggott to the Indonesia national team has provided manager John Herdman with a significant boost in squad depth, but it has also sparked a tactical debate among analysts. While the Ipswich Town defender brings undeniable physicality and experience, some believe pairing him with Jay Idzes could create a dangerous vulnerability in the Garuda’s backline.

Aris Indarto, a former defender for the national team, has issued a sharp warning regarding the composition of the defense. Indarto argues that while both Baggott and Idzes are high-quality players, their similar playing styles may not be complementary, potentially leaving the door open for opposing attackers.

The ‘Stylish’ Trap: Why Style Over Synergy Matters

The core of Indarto’s critique centers on what he describes as a “stylish” approach to defending. According to the former international, both Jay Idzes and Elkan Baggott share a character of play that relies on positioning and waiting for the right moment to intervene rather than aggressive disruption.

This shared trait, Indarto suggests, can be a liability. When two defenders both adopt a reactive, “waiting” posture, the defense can lose its necessary aggressiveness. This lack of proactive pressure often grants opponents too much space and time to penetrate dangerous areas of the pitch.

Indarto noted that these issues were already visible during the FIFA Series 2026. He observed that the Indonesian defense was penetrated with relative ease on several occasions, a result he attributes to this lack of tactical balance in the center of the defense.

The Return of Elkan Baggott

Baggott’s reintegration into the squad comes after a two-year absence. The 23-year-ancient, born in Bangkok, Thailand, has quickly reclaimed a role under John Herdman. His impact was immediate during the FIFA Series 2026 held at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) in Jakarta.

Baggott earned a place in the starting XI during Indonesia’s dominant 4-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis. Even in the final match against Bulgaria—which ended in a 0-1 defeat—Baggott remained a key figure, featuring in the game after coming off the bench.

For Baggott, the current iteration of the national team is a different beast than the one he left two years ago. The defender has acknowledged the striking difference in squad quality, citing the arrival of top-tier talent across the pitch. The current roster now features players like Maarten Paes of Ajax Amsterdam, Emil Audero from Cremonese, Calvin Verdonk of LOSC Lille, and Kevin Diks from Borussia Monchengladbach, alongside Sassuolo’s Jay Idzes.

Defending the ‘Golden Trio’

While Baggott’s presence adds a valuable dimension to the squad, many believe the established chemistry of the existing defensive core is too precious to disrupt. The trio of Rizky Ridho, Jay Idzes, and Justin Hubner has become the gold standard for the Garuda’s defense.

Indarto strongly recommends sticking with this trio, arguing that Ridho, Idzes, and Hubner possess a chemistry that is both strong and complementary. Unlike the Baggott-Idzes pairing, this group is seen as having the right mix of aggression and composure to stifle varied attacking threats.

Some analysts agree, suggesting that Baggott’s return does not necessarily mean the dissolution of the Ridho-Idzes-Hubner axis. Instead, Baggott can serve as a high-impact alternative or a tactical pivot depending on the opponent, rather than a permanent replacement for any single member of the trio.

The Road to the ASEAN Cup

John Herdman now faces a delicate balancing act. He must integrate a player of Baggott’s caliber without sacrificing the cohesion that has defined Indonesia’s recent defensive stability. With the ASEAN Cup and upcoming FIFA matchdays on the horizon, the manager’s choice of center-back pairings will be under intense scrutiny.

The challenge is not a lack of talent—Indonesia currently enjoys an abundance of defensive options—but rather the science of compatibility. The goal for Herdman will be to ensure that the “stylish” elements of his defenders are balanced by the raw aggression needed to keep clean sheets at the highest level.

The national team’s next major checkpoints will be the upcoming FIFA matchdays and the ASEAN Cup, where Herdman’s final decisions on the defensive starting XI will be put to the ultimate test.

Do you think Elkan Baggott should start alongside Jay Idzes, or is the established trio too strong to break up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.