Real Madrid spent big on young center back Dean Huijsen from the Premier League underdogs AFC Bournemouth last summer transfer window, thinking they were getting one of the most promising defenders in the world after a breakout campaign under low pressure settings.
And while Huijsen has shown the potential to become a Real Madrid starter in the future, the former Roma propsect Jose Mourinho once fell in love with showed some real growing pains and seemed to get worse as the 2025/26 season went on, if anything, getting badly exposed against top opponents and big games like Atletico Madrid in El Derbi.
Huijsen made it to the preliminary World Cup squad for the Spanish national team this summer alongside two other Madrid players in Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia, both underdogs. But even though Huijsen is the biggest name on the list, there's a real chance no Real Madrid players make Luis de la Fuente's final team.
Dean Huijsen might not be at the World Cup
According to a report from Diario AS, via Madrid Xtra, there are actually doubts about Dean Huijsen behind the scenes in the Spanish camp, and whlie many fans, especially in the capital, seem to be taking his presence at the World Cup for granted, Huijsen is reportedly not guaranteed to make the squad.
It's a bit surprising to hear that. While Real Madrid fans can honestly say Huijsen hasn't been great this season and wouldn't be on the national team in an ideal summer at the World Cup, the other options have questions, too.
Right now, Spain only seem to have four options at center back to begin with. Barcelona superstar Pau Cubarsi is an obvious lock, regardless of how Madridistas may feel about him. Aymeric Laporte will probably be there due to experience, but since he plays for Al Nassr and not in La Liga, it is hard to justifiably put him over Huijsen. The last is Cristhian Mosquera, a backup for Arsenal but someone with a lot of talent who starred at Valencia in La Liga and is probably a better player than Huijsen - and probably someone the Merengues should have signed instead.
Huijsen could be the fourth choice behind these players, but he could be arguably third. And in any case, four center backs is a normal amount to carry. If Huijsen doesn't make the World Cup squad, it would be very interesting to see Luis de la Fuente's logic and who he would take instead. Robin Le Normand, former Madridista Mario Gila, and Barca's underdog Eric Garcia are three sleepers to displace him.
Add us as a preferred source on Google