Real Madrid spent nearly 60 million pounds to sign Spanish international Dean Huijsen from Premier League surprise package AFC Bournemouth last summer transfer window, and whlie he started the season promisingly, he started to really tail off and was a huge liability in some big games for Madrid, including looking to small for the moment and far too passive in El Derbi vs. Ateltico Madrid.
Huijsen was a quality passer on the ball but very lacking in the air despite his height, weak in the tackle, and too slow to react to attackers in La Liga despite succeeding in the Premier League with the Cherries.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho brought in Ibrahima Konate at center back, and when Eder Militao is healthy, those two figure to be the starters. Plus, with Antonio Rudiger coming back on a new contract at the approval of Mourinho despite rumors questioning his future, Huijsen may have to fight for the third center back job at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Dean Huijsen has to prove himself
But it sounds like he is ready to fight for the badge in the 2026/27 La Liga season. Because according to a report from Diario AS, Dean Huijsen arrived at Real Madrid training to start the offseason in excellent condition, and he is already impressing people in the building with his performances at the practice sessions.
As Allen Iverson famously taught the world, practice and the games are two entirely different entities, but there is no better way - and really no other way, right now - for Huijsen to prove himself and show his quality to the new manager Jose Mourinho than to shine and take practice as seriously as possible.
Real Madrid spent on Huijsen for a reason. While he was so disappointing that Luis de la Fuente did not even include him in the Spanish national team squad for the 2026 World Cup, not being on the squad for the reigning European Champions and potential world champions is not the biggest shame in the world.
The other fact of the matter is that Huijsen is only 21 years old. That is very young for a center back, and since Huijsen is less of an aggressive player, the move from the Premier League with Bournemouth to being a starting center back at Real Madrid in La Liga is a huge leap that people cannot take for granted. This is a big offseason for Huijsen, because the opportunity for him to be a starter next season is still there.
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