Dean Huijsen: Real Madrid’s First Defensive Pillar in Xabi Alonso’s New Era
A New Era Begins at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid have had a trophyless season in 2024–25 and are looking to make quick changes to transition into a new era. Carlo Ancelotti will leave Spain to coach the Brazil National Team, and former midfielder Xabi Alonso is going to take over the reins at the Bernabéu.
After a disappointing season, the spotlight is on Real Madrid’s president Florentino Pérez, a master at assembling the best players around the world. He got off to a great start by signing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer from Liverpool, and to accompany him in defence, Pérez has brought Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth for 50 million pounds.
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Bournemouth’s Business Brilliance: Huijsen’s Journey to Madrid
Bournemouth have had a great season under Andoni Iraola, and Dean Huijsen has been a key part of the puzzle. Huijsen came from the Juventus academy but had limited first-team experience in Serie A. He played a few matches for Juve and 14 matches for AS Roma when he was on loan in the 2023–24 season.
In the summer of 2024, Bournemouth signed the Spanish international for 18 million euros from Juventus. Just after one season, the Cherries have made a profit of 32 million euros. In terms of business, Bournemouth have done an amazing job—but when it comes to football, they’ve lost a world-class player that they might not be able to replace.
Why Huijsen is the Ideal Defender for Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Plans
Huijsen fits into both a back three and a back four as a left-sided centre-back. Defensively, he’s composed and strong at the back. The Bournemouth system needed him to step forward and win the ball as Iraola implemented a high-intensity system where players had to recover possession aggressively.
He is a good reader of the game and often breaks down the opposition attack before it becomes dangerous by putting in an early tackle or intercepting the ball after a heavy touch from the opponent. In cases where he’s inside his own box, his positioning is elite, and he comfortably prevents shots at his goal.
When Bournemouth had possession, it was the role of the centre-backs to progress or distribute the ball. Huijsen excels in both these fields. His ability to play long balls to the attack and through balls into the midfield made him a pivotal player for the Cherries when they had to start attacks.
Huijsen also exploits space by making runs into advanced positions on the pitch. In some instances, he bypasses the midfield to get into the final third. All these qualities make Huijsen an ideal defender who should fit into any kind of system. His versatility is key, as new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso —who generally plays a back three—might need to shift to a back four to accommodate traditional wingers like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Breaking Down Huijsen’s Premier League Stats
The 20-year-old centre-back contributed 3 set-piece goals and 2 assists in the 2024–25 season, indicating that he’s a threat in the air. His effectiveness with the ball at his feet is validated by a whopping 128 accurate long balls played and 15 chances created. Thirty touches in the opposition box is an impressive stat to have if you’re a centre-back in a back four. Huijsen is a rock at the back—completing 26 tackles, 51 interceptions, 105 recoveries and 6 blocks. He’s also won 116 duels and 68 aerial duels.
Huijsen impressively beats many reputed Premier League defenders like Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias, and William Saliba when it comes to stats like successful tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions per 90 minutes. These stats are influenced by overall team performances, and Bournemouth do defend more than the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal. While it doesn’t prove that he’s better than any of the defenders named, he’s clearly in that range of world-class centre-backs.
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Conclusion: A Calm Presence in the Eye of the Storm
Dean Huijsen will be a player that Xabi Alonso would love because of his versatility and the additional qualities he brings to the table apart from being a solid defender. At only 20 years of age, this is a huge move for Huijsen, and the pressure of playing for the biggest club in football history will be on him. But Huijsen is the “Chill Guy,” and from what we’ve seen, he’ll handle it with maturity.
By: Sriram Sundar / @Sriram__Sundar
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Fabio Rossi / AS Roma