Justin Hubner's Move To Cerezo Osaka Responded Positively To PSSI Chairman

JAKARTA - The status of Indonesia's naturalized player, Justin Hubner, who is now a loan player at Cerezo Osaka, was responded positively to by the General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Erick Thohir.

PSSI chairman said Hubner's move to the J1 League, the Japanese league's main division, would potentially allow the 20-year-old to get more playing minutes than at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"Yes, that's good. You see, many of our players also need to play in their teams," said Erick Thohir when met in Central Jakarta on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Previously, Hubner was a member of the Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. He then underwent a loan period to Cerezo Osaka.

While in Wolverhampton, Hubner was only on the line-up once, namely against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League match in December 2023.

The Dutch footballer has spent more of his performances this season with the Wolves youth team, 15 times by donating four goals.

The situation of Hubner, who is now grazing in Japan, is considered by Erick Thohir as the right decision. You see, it will make it easier for him to manage performance which will later make him stand out in the eyes of the coach.

"If it's a reserve, it's not visible (the performance). That's why I always say, coach Indra, coach Nova, or Shin Tae-yong, when the players gather, these coaches will definitely see again."

"The player is playing full or not in his team, or backup. It needs more physical improvement and a game system," said Erick.

"If we look at European countries, sometimes the main players actually play at their clubs," he said.

Meanwhile, Erick Thohir could not confirm whether Hubner could defend the U-23 Indonesian national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, 15 April-3 May 2024. You see, he has just moved to the club on loan.

However, PSSI will try hard to lobby clubs inhabited by Indonesian U-23 national team subscribers to be willing to release their players.

"I can't comment because for Nathan (Tjoe-A-On), Hubner, and Elkan (Baggot) the status is a loan. So, of course, whether clubs want to let go, this is what we are lobbying," said the chairman of PSSI.