Sport
Which top club would be the best fit for Dean Huijsen?
Dean Huijsen is one of the most talented young central defenders in world football at this moment in time. Not only has the 19-year-old shone for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season, he recently made his international debut for Spain, holding his own against the Netherlands.
Speculation is swirling around Huijsen with some of Europe’s biggest clubs reportedly lining up summer offers to sign him from the Cherries. So which team would be the best fit for the Spanish defender?
Arsenal
Arsenal have a number of talented youngsters and so Huijsen would fit in at the Emirates Stadium. However, the Gunners already boast arguably the strongest centre back pairings in the Premier League in Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba and so Huijsen would be second-string under Mikel Arteta.
What’s more, Arsenal need attacking additions this summer and so the £50m needed to sign Huijsen from Bournemouth would come out of their budget for a new number nine or left winger. However, there’s no denying the Spaniard has the technical and physical attributes to thrive for the Gunners.
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany has enjoyed a generally successful first season at Bayern Munich so far with the Bavarians on course for the Bundesliga title and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Despite this, Bayern have been defensively vulnerable on occasion and could make a summer move for a new centre back.
Huijsen is strong in possession and would fit in well under Kompany. The newly capped Spanish international also has good recovery pace which would help him play high up the pitch as Bayern Munich usually do. Huijsen would be a significant upgrade on Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano who have both struggled this season.
Chelsea
It’s no surprise Chelsea reportedly want Huijsen considering the Stamford Bridge club is linked with every top-level youngster that emerges anywhere in the game. However, there’s good reason for the Blues to believe Huijsen would be worth the £50m that they would have to pay to sign the Spaniard this summer.
While Chelsea have made progress under Enzo Maresca, they have struggled to find the right balance at the back. Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo have played the most matches together this season, but the Blues could certainly upgrade on either centre back. Huijsen looks ready to play for a club of Chelsea’s stature.
Liverpool
Liverpool could need a replacement for Virgil van Dijk this summer. As things stand, the Dutch defender will leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season and so a move for Huijsen would make a lot of sense with this in mind. The Spaniard could be a first team figure for the soon-to-be Premier League champions.
Huijsen has the technical ability to thrive in Arne Slot’s system. Indeed, Andoni Iraola already asks the teenager to play out from the back for Bournemouth and so it wouldn’t be too much of a stylistic change in that regard should Huijsen end up on Merseyside this summer. Even if van Dijk signs an extension, Huijsen could learn alongside the Dutchman.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been on the lookout for a young centre back for some time. Last season, they wanted Leny Yoro before Manchester United beat them to the punch. Now, there is a growing sense that Los Blancos see Huijsen as the future of their defensive line. Real Madrid have reportedly already opened dialogue with Bournemouth.
Carlo Ancelotti has been extremely light in central defensive options this season. Indeed, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba have all suffered injury troubles, meaning Aurelien Tchouameni has been forced to moonlight at the back. Huijsen would give Real Madrid a high-potential centre back to mould over the next decade.




