Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has spilled the beans on what he actually wants from Dean Huijsen.
After the game against Malaga on Sunday night, Real Madrid won 4-0, and Huijsen, as he has been for all of the season so far, was Real Madrid's rock at the back.
He was rock solid. He played his part very well. He looked really good with and without the ball, which was a really good sight to behold.
Huijsen has struggled in the past when it comes to consistency, and the hope is at Real Madrid that he will have more of that going into this season because of the number that he's wearing on the back and the manager he's working for.
Speaking on the manager, Mourinho talked about how he values the on-ball aspect of Huijsen's play, but ultimately he made his priorities crystal clear when it came to defenders' qualities.
He said: "What I have noticed is that we talk, because I like a center-back who has quality on the ball and can play passes between the lines. But for me, the important thing is decisiveness, winning duels, and giving confidence.
"He’s improved a lot in a short time. I need to watch the game better at home, calmly, but I think he misplaced a pass through the middle and then did everything else well. That’s the version I want.
"I like center-backs who defend well; if they’re also good on the ball, perfect. But first you have to defend, and I see a good version of him in that regard. And his partner next to him also helps.”
Dean Huijsen has to stay consistent defensively
A defender's job is to defend. In a similar way, a striker's job is to score goals.
It is a big bonus when the striker in question can pass the ball around really well, or when a defender can hold on to the ball for long stretches without giving it away, which is something that Huijsen does really well.
But his main job is still to defend, and that is where Real Madrid are seeing the improvement with Huijsen.
The Spaniard has improved on all fronts, don't get me wrong, but defensively speaking, he has made fewer errors to start the season than he did last time around, which ultimately cost him his position in the starting eleven.
Now he looks more composed, mature, and solid for a central defender, and it's really important for Mourinho that it continues.
If Huijsen is able to stay fit and consistent, Real Madrid will no longer need to sign a centre-back for the foreseeable future. They will have it covered with Huijsen and Ibrahima Konaté.
But for that to happen, Huijsen would need to keep playing the way he is playing right now. It is a lot easier said than done because consistency is really difficult in football, but Huijsen needs to work on that and become the best version of himself and stay there for as long as possible.
If he does that, then there is no reason for him not to become one of the best defenders in world football, as well as to be able to represent his country on a regular basis.
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