Dean Huijsen: Bournemouth’s Wonderkid Inspired by Sergio Ramos Emerges as a Steal Under Andoni Iraola | Football News

Dean Huijsen had his penalty saved during Bournemouth’s FA Cup shoot-out victory over Wolves last weekend. However, those familiar with him were not surprised that the 19-year-old centre-back was eager to take one of the initial penalties.

“He possesses immense ambition and a strong belief in his ability to score,” says Juan Jesus Gutierrez Robles, his former coach at Malaga’s U16s, to Sky Sports. “While he may not be the finisher he thinks he is, his confidence is unwavering, and he always believes he can succeed.”

“It’s common to see this in strikers, but it’s quite rare among centre-backs and is not a trait that can be taught. You either possess it, or you don’t. He has had this quality since childhood. It’s one of his most significant strengths.”

While this trait didn’t aid him during that shoot-out, the match against Wolves highlighted Huijsen’s remarkable offensive capabilities as he builds a reputation as one of Europe’s top young defenders. He recorded five shots and created three chances, making more touches in the opposition’s box than anyone else.

Sunday 9th March 1:00pm

It’s not uncommon to find Huijsen amid the action in the penalty area.

He created a signature moment for Bournemouth’s season back in December, mimicking the popular ‘chill guy’ meme with his hands tucked into his shorts after scoring his first Premier League goal against Tottenham, the same team he faces again on Super Sunday. Two weeks after that, he celebrated another headed goal, this time against Manchester United, in the same style.

There are few teenage centre-backs making an impact at the highest level across Europe due to the tactical complexities of the role. Rare still are those who are recognized for their standout celebrations.

However, Huijsen has always stood out from the crowd, and the excitement of scoring is not a new experience for him.

“He netted 12 goals in just half a season with our U15 team. As a centre-back,” adds Robles, known as Juanito, a former midfielder at Malaga himself.

“He was genuinely too good for that team. His mother even called me once, distressed that he was crying, unable to comprehend why he was still playing with them instead of competing with the older age groups.”

Huijsen’s stay at Malaga was brief; he left Spain for Italy at 16 to join Juventus. His ambitious nature, akin to his goal-scoring ability, has fueled his career – and he continued scoring goals.

He had a remarkable season at Juventus’ academy, netting 10 goals in the 2022/23 season, including three in six fixtures in the UEFA Youth League, which is the U19 equivalent of the Champions League. He also scored twice in 14 senior appearances while on loan at Roma.

“Many of his goals were not merely from set-pieces,” Juanito adds. “If you examine the goals he scored for Juventus and Roma, a sizeable number came from outside the area.”

The last goal he scored for Roma, against Frosinone, saw Huijsen dribble from the halfway line and curtail a remarkable effort from outside the box into the net.

He has yet to replicate something that extraordinary for Andoni Iraola’s side, but he’s more than capable of increasing his goal tally beyond just two.

He was thwarted by a controversial VAR decision against Wolves on Saturday, hit the crossbar against Brentford earlier in the season, and has also come close against Everton and Fulham.

“He has the intent to score, and that significantly aids his efforts,” remarks Juanito. “Of course, his height helps too. However, being tall can lead to a tougher match-up against the best defenders. Dean’s sheer determination makes that a non-issue.”

“He’s capable of scoring seven or eight goals in a season, which is a rarity among centre-backs worldwide. Sergio Ramos was one such player, as was Fernando Hierro with Real Madrid. True goal-scoring centre-backs are few and far between.”

Huijsen grew up idolizing Ramos and is certainly on Real Madrid’s radar. As Juanito recalls, clubs from Spain’s top league were scrambling for his signature before he moved to Juventus: “He received considerable attention. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal… all were after him.”

However, Huijsen and his family believed that moving to Italy was a better path for his defensive development. “He made a wise decision,” adds Juanito.

Now, Bournemouth is reaping the rewards of that choice.

Pinto aids in securing a bargain deal

Jose Mourinho, the head coach at Roma during Huijsen’s loan, labeled him one of Europe’s most promising talents. Tiago Pinto, Bournemouth’s football operations president, who served as Roma’s general manager at the time, echoed similar feelings.

Pinto, like Mourinho, was impressed by Huijsen’s maturity and other attributes. His first-hand experience working with him offered Bournemouth crucial insights, particularly given the limited body of work available to assess him at the senior level.

Huijsen, born in Amsterdam, had previously played for the Netherlands’ youth teams before switching allegiance to Spain, where he has represented the U21 team. However, he had made only one top-flight appearance for Juventus before his 14-game tenure at Roma.

He is one of the highest-quality prospects in European football at this age level. He will be a great footballer in the future.

Even with his relatively limited experience, Huijsen quickly adapted at Bournemouth, looking like one of the standout signings of the season at an initial fee of £12.8 million. He is well-liked by teammates and coaches alike, with his maturity and goal-scoring ability being merely aspects of his overall contribution.

Huijsen ranks third in the Premier League for interceptions per 90 minutes, showcasing his strong ability to read upcoming threats, and sixth for blocks. His proactive passing, using both feet for short and long distances, has become another valuable asset. “I can’t think of any centre-backs who utilize both feet as effectively as him,” affirms Juanito.

Bournemouth noted his capability to assert himself defensively, even against older opponents in Serie A, and he has maintained this aggression in the Premier League, taking on enhanced responsibility following Illia Zabarnyi’s suspension, making him their most experienced available centre-back.

Before all this, however, they had to convince him of the benefits of joining a club with a relatively low profile. They delivered a comprehensive virtual presentation during negotiations, outlining their front-footed playing style, demonstrating Huijsen’s compatibility with it.

They also outlined their plans for his role, although this was expedited after fellow centre-back Marcos Senesi’s surgery for a thigh injury in November.

Since then, Huijsen has started 17 consecutive matches across all competitions, most alongside the equally impressive Zabarnyi. At ages 19 and 22, respectively, they form a centre-back pairing much younger than the Premier League average. Yet, their performances do not reflect their youth; Bournemouth has only lost three of the 17 matches they have started together.

Interest from major clubs for Huijsen is anticipated. There have already been reports linking him with Real Madrid and Liverpool. But with a six-year contract at the Vitality Stadium, his growth potential remains evident. Bournemouth is fighting for a spot in Europe and is just three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

Regardless of future developments, Huijsen’s achievements, alongside other signings like Milos Kerkez, Zabarnyi, Dango Ouattara, and Alex Scott, have significantly boosted the club’s appeal as a destination for young, high-potential talent.

A defender shaped for the elite

With less than a month until his 20th birthday, Huijsen is among the highest-potential talents in the game.

He has emphasized the value of the defensive training he received while in Italy. Mourinho played a key role in his development, and he has progressed even further under Iraola. Ultimately, however, it has been Huijsen and his family driving his journey forward.

“His physical and technical skills were apparent at Malaga, but his determination and ambition to succeed as a footballer stood out the most to me,” reflects Juanito. “I rarely encounter that level of tenacity in a player.

“It’s not just about his desire to succeed; he’s done everything possible to achieve it. He trains better, prepares better, and rectifies his mistakes better than anyone else.”

The influence of his parents has been pivotal. “His father spared no cost in helping his son pursue football,” adds Juanito. “He even bought a camera to record and analyze Dean’s gameplay. The dedication was immense, and his family laid the groundwork for him from an early age.”

They took the same level of careful consideration in choosing his clubs. “For a kid here, the norm would have been to join Madrid or Barcelona, but he was clear that he wanted to develop his defending skills in Italy,” notes Juanito. “Next, he sought playing time, leading him to Roma.

“While many criticized his choice to join Bournemouth, this often stems from a lack of understanding of the club’s potential. It was a commendable decision. Examining his gameplay now, the only area he might improve is his speed. And the Premier League is the one environment where he might enhance that aspect of his game.”

“He could manage the pace of the Italian league and would have adapted to the Spanish league. The Premier League is where he might struggle—and subsequently grow.”

In reality, Huijsen hasn’t struggled at all. Despite being just 19, he’s shown he can handle the demands of Premier League football, and his importance to Iraola is evident in the minutes he’s accumulated.

His close-knit family, who have joined him in England, continues to support him. His father, Donny, a former player in the Netherlands, and mother, Mascha, attend every Bournemouth match.

After eight months, the signing has proven immensely successful for all parties involved, and his potential keeps soaring. “He now appears to be a player who possesses all the qualities, but remember, he’s still quite young,” reflects Juanito. “I firmly believe he will become one of the top centre-backs in the world for the next decade.”

That sentiment is echoed by many, both at Bournemouth and beyond. Anticipate many more goals and unforgettable performances to come.

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