Dean Huijsen: The Defensive Prodigy Every Club Wants ~ Player Scouting Report

A scouting report on Dean Huijsen’s profile + how he’s elevated his game in quick time be branded as of the best u-21 CBs and to be pursued by the very best in Europe

Career Overview:

Having grown out of favour at Juventus and spending the previous season on loan at Roma and impressing the former – both parties decided to end it for the good with a €15M move in the summer to Bournemouth. Fast forward only a year later, there’s visibly only one party regretting the decision

A season that’s highlighted strong mentality, grabbed opportunities and then limiting attackers output to almost none has elevated Dean Huijsen as a player. The strong strides also saw him make his debut for Spain in the UEFA Nations League games earlier this year

Dean Huijsen is a proactive all phase defender who defines the modern day archetype CB. Very well garnished in tackling, intercepting and reading the game whilst also bringing a cutting edge with his ambi pedal passing and break pressing structures with his ball carrying

Top European clubs including the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid are expected to be in the race for the Spanish defender this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. With a £50M release clause, it’s reportedly not compulsory to paid directly and can be paid in instalments

Firstly, let’s look at his player profile:
Age: 20
Club: Bournemouth
Position: CB
Foot: Right
Nationality: Spain
Value: €46M
Height: 6’5
Avg SofaScore rating: 7.29

Strengths: Interceptions, Passing Range, Ball Carrying, Ambipedal, Spatial Awareness, Aerial ability
Weaknesses: Aggressiveness, Decision making

Image credits – FBREF

Playstyle – In Possession:

Forming a partnership with Zabarnyi at Bournemouth, the Spaniard functions at LCB although being a right footed player. Whilst collecting the ball, Huijsen shows his front footedness by often finding quick passes into the final third

If you’ve heard of the brand Huijsen, it’s certainly due to its resonance to his ball playing ability. Averaging 4.74 progressive passes and 1.50 progressive carries per90 – Huijsen flaunts his natural offensive instincts from defence.

Brings an element of finesse in his long diagonal passes – primarily right footed, but can do it with his left too. The weight of pass and the ability to dip the ball to the feet has a certain aesthetic visual bias that you just can’t write off

Creativity flows within his game, can play line breaking passes – either lofted through balls or ground balls. In passages of play where the game can get passive and tight, Huijsen likes to rely on his front footed ball carrying ability and run forwards into spaces whilst deceiving opponents.

Huijsen’s dominant height at a staggering 6’5 can be a game changer in both boxes. Used as a target man during setpieces oppurtunities to nod home the goal and being used as the primary defensive weapon to clear out aerial threat whilst defending setpieces.

Named this particular piece as the “front footed defender” solely due to his ability to carry the ball into forward zones of the pitch. These carries in general can see him play a crucial role in the near future under the best of managers, who can utilise the exact wavelengths of damage a libero can do

Playstyle – Out of Possession:

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Boasting elite interceptions stats in the Premier League might just give you the basic crux of his profile – 2.15 per90 (in the 98th) percentile. What elevates him to become a threat from this position is how he can encapsulate defence to attack and start transitions

The reaction speed in winning the ball, the timing to drop to ground and tackle players is great for someone who’s just 20 y/o. You can rely on winning a battle with the very best in wide 1v1 scenarios because of how proactive he is as a duel winner.

Image credits – Opta Analyst

His towering frame and long legs helps him showcase excellent timing off the ball whilst tackling runners – even better when it’s in his own box and under pressure. The understanding of his body + replicating them consistently with his decision making makes him standout as a defender

Reading of the game elevates to pushing higher up the pitch if it’s staying in closer proximity to his marker and man marking – with loads of concentration and determination to anticipate. Defending his own penalty box comes with alertness and smart IQ play.

For someone so young who prefers using his recovery pace under Iraola’s system, he’s bound to make mistakes. However, he just doesn’t like to give up – even with a failed clearance/shrug of an attacker, he still continues to impose himself and put his body on the line

Following runs, matching runners for pace, shifting his body to different angles in order to block/intercept the ball and then lunging into necessary tackles are his core principles – although there’s room for improvement in some aspects

Areas to Improve:

There are certain aspects that Huijsen needs to upgrade in his game and that’s something you can see him work on, considering his age and willingness to grow. Passing accuracy in certain occasions, aggressiveness in stepping out and struggles in shifting his body into different angles

Having the ball at his feet, he’s very good at breaking lines and playing the spectaculars. However, the downside at times is his casual rotation of the ball with added/less weight on passes that are often simple enough to play – can sometimes prove to be costly

Mentioned how he’s very good at intercepting possession, but whilst pressing from the front and tracking runners – he might get spun or end up giving away cheap fouls. Heavily relies on recovery pace and timing of tackles which can both be very risky in transitions

Noticeable how he can get better with his body orientation lock players on their weaknesses. This comes with the understanding of the players faced whilst also managing to find a balance between the quick movements in his body while defending

Player Comparisons:

Nico Schlotterbeck falls in the same brand of technical CBs in this era. Both fearless in their passing routine > very front footed as they act as a creative force from build up. Good spatial awareness and clever reading of the game. Very similar to the likes of his idol, Sergio Ramos too!

Next Leap in the Career?

With the linked clubs, Real Madrid’s knock on the door might come to be as the loudest for the Spaniard due to obvious reasons. Although having the quality in Rudiger + Asencio, Huijsen can compete for either of the spot and play for the club of his dreams. With the injury niggles related to Eder Militao and David Alaba this season, the Madristas would want to look for options.

Image credits – DataMB

Arsenal are expected to be in the market for a CB cover if the likes of Kiwior/Tomiyasu are sold. The over reliance on Saliba/Gabriel this season hasn’t panned out as they planned with the latter picking up a hamstring injury. With ideas of being a successor to Gabriel at the LCB spot in the near future, Huijsen seems like the perfect fit

Image credits – DataMB

Chelsea are well sorted with the defenders in the squad they employee, but the injury struggles this season paints a different picture. Injuries to Fofana + Colwill and the uncertain futures of Badiashile, Disasi and Chalobah would see them make a marquee CB signing under the Todd Boehly era who look to attract young players with their favourable contractual structures

Image credits – DataMB

Liverpool who’ve tied down Van Dijk to a monumental contract extension recently, the other CB spot is up for grabs. With Konate’s contract running down at the end of next season and the futures of Quansah and Gomez undecided, Liverpool could up their interest.

Image credits – DataMB

The best route for development comes from a personal intention to grow and get better at what you’re already doing. On a team level, Huijsen’s decision might rely on picking out the best path towards success and greater understanding of his profile. UCL football and the chances of winning a trophy would obviously entice him the most.