A Diamond in the Back

Feb 14, 2025

Bournemouth’s rise this season revolves around great coaching and player recruiting. No player highlights the club’s transformation quite like Dean Huijsen.

The defender came out of nowhere to take the league by storm.

Andoni Iraola deserves a shot at the Manager of the Year award, given how he’s remade the Cherries into a top side. Among the players shining under the Spaniard is Huijsen, who may just have quite the future ahead of him.

Huijsen’s arrival in the Prem floated under the radar when he joined the Cherries. An unremarkable spell coupled with Juventus seeming desperate to dump him brought no hope. Now, the Spanish youth international appears on the verge of being the next top defender.

In a fun, young Bournemouth backline, Huijsen stands out as the most complete defender. A talented passer, the center back also appears as a terrifying presence in the back. Using his massive frame, Huijsen easily overpowers just about any striker headed towards him.

This summer, clubs across Europe promise to try to pry talented players from the Cherries.

While Milos Kerkez remains another great prospect, Huijsen’s potential is too high to ignore.

PHOTO: Bournemouth FC/Facebook

Able to play for either the Dutch or Spanish national teams, Huijsen’s journey to the Prem is an interesting one. Coming up through the Juventus academy, he promised to be part of the young core that the club hedged their bets on.

After the failures of the Ronaldo era, Juventus decided to build their next title squads through their academy. Players like Kenan Yıldız and Samuel Mbangula headlined the future in Turin. Among this young group, Huijsen became one of the first to taste first-team action.

Despite being constantly in the first team, Allegri never fully trusted the youngster, pushing him out on loan. A loan at Roma made no sense for either party; Juventus needed defensive help, and Roma needed an immediate impact. In the Italian capital, de Rossi tried to figure out how to develop the player while stabilizing a sinking ship.

Upon returning, Motta seemed like the perfect manager to get the most out of the youngster in Turin. In typical Juve fashion, the club decided to cash in on the youngster to fund another terrible transfer.

The explosion of Huijsen as a top-flight defender has seen Juve be the butt of many jokes. Not to be a Juve apologist, but before Bremer’s injury, a path to meaningful minutes seemed improbable. At the start of the season, the Italian giants fielded a good backline, and the youngster was on the outside.

Juve’s loss became Bournemouth’s immense gain as he continues to exceed expectations. Iraola’s side surprised the Prem as a whole, and Huijsen is a good part of that. If the Cherries qualify for a European spot, a big move is surely in his future.

From a Juve reject to the first name on every scout’s lips, Huijsen shows how powerful moves can be on a youngster’s career.

Perhaps the Italian league never suited the defender, and the Prem fits his style much better.

Given his impressive performances, seeing European giants inquire about him this January window surprised no one. The way Huijsen plays the game makes him attractive to any club.

At an imposing 6’ 5”, no one would hold it against the defender if he lacked the mobility of his shorter colleagues. If he moved like Federico Gatti, like a fridge, most would expect it. It’s not that Huijsen moves like a fullback, but he isn’t easy to pick at.

His ability to keep up with faster players and being an elite tackler makes him a fascinating player. With his frame, one expects him to terrify any forward trying to take him on, and he remains one of the best tacklers in the league. Elite at both the times he tackles and his efficiency, the youngster poses a unique threat to any attacker.

Being such a massive player also makes him quite the threat on any corner. Already, with two goals in the Prem, any ball hit towards him off a corner stands a good chance of being knocked in.

Like any modern defender, one expects Huijsen to be an above-average passer. Among his colleagues, the former Dutch youth international finds himself well above his peers. A willing passer, the center-back offers a release valve to the Bournemouth midfield.

Any backline needing a dynamic player could do a lot worse than Huijsen. He offers a team a big body that can stand his own against any attacker while offering enough playmaking to stay on the field. Iraola’s side needs Huijsen in a way that has allowed for him to develop in ways that he never expected.

Given how he developed thus far in England, it’s strange that he struggled in Italy.

Huijsen possesses all the qualities that teams desire in their defenders.

Bournemouth’s excellent season so far relies on a system built to get the most out of an insanely talented squad. Chief among those is the young center-back, taking the league by storm.