Real Madrid’s defense has looked much better in the first couple of games this season than it did towards the end of the last one, and so much of that has to do with a brilliant signing in Ibrahima Konate, as well as a revived Dean Huijsen.
It seems a bit weird to call a 21-year-old central defender revived, because really, he is just starting off. However, the way he introduced himself to the Bernabeu faithful, and the inconsistency he hit shortly after, it almost felt like someone had to revive him. Someone had to remind him of the way he was playing at the start of his Real Madrid career (and before), even with his inconsistencies.
Now, donning Sergio Ramos’ iconic number four jersey, Huijsen looks much closer to the version Real Madrid fans saw last season, and the game against Real Sociedad was a very real, brilliant, glimpse of that. His passing was absolutely crisp and accurate, completing 96% of it.
Dean Huijsen is finally looking like the player Real Madrid signed last year
Defensively, he was rock solid alongside Konate, as he had a whopping 13 defensive interventions in the match. 11 clearances, most of which were crucial to keep Real Sociedad’s attackers frustrated, as well as some crucial interventions made Huijsen a joy to watch.
He only had one interception and one block on paper, but his defensive positioning, combined with his IQ, worked really well. His partnership with Konate has looked fantastic so far, and a lot of that has to do with the ways they complement each other.
Huijsen is more of a ball-playing central defender, while Konate loves to go forward and pressurise attackers into giving the ball away. What Konate lacks, Huijsen provides, and vice versa.
It is really working like clockwork, and fans are loving it. It is worth noting that Real Madrid were in the same position last season, and he started losing his composure as the season went on.
However, the hope for this season is that Huijsen keeps his cool alongside a defender much more suited to his game than Antonio Rudiger, and that Jose Mourinho, who has always been a huge fan of the defender, can consistently bring out the best version of him, and can realise how good he truly can be if he adds consistency to his game.
It is easier said than done, but Huijsen has the talent to make it work, as he has shown in the past.
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