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Dean Huijsen already the perfect fit for Alonso’s Madrid era

Dean Huijsen already the perfect fit for Alonso’s Madrid era

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Dean Huijsen is living up to his billing as Real Madrid’s next great centre back, following in the footsteps of Sergio Ramos, Raphaël Varane and others.

By Graham Ruthven

More than once since taking over as Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has spoken about his “process.” This has been the key word to describe what is happening at the Santiago Bernabéu right now with Los Blancos being reshaped in the image of their new boss. Dean Huijsen, however, looks a lot like the finished article.

Signed from Bournemouth for €60m, Huijsen has played every minute of Real Madrid’s opening three league fixtures this season. The 20-year-old has become a central pillar of Alonso’s new-look team and is proving himself as the Spanish giants’ next great central defender.

Huijsen’s player traits comparison against centre backs in top 5 leagues

Huijsen has it all. He can handle himself against the most physical of opposition forwards – see how Huijsen matched up well against Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi before the September international break. Huijsen still has some filling out to do, but his 6′ 5” frame makes him imposing.

That frame also makes Huijsen a threat in the air. The youngster contributed an excellent assist with his head in the 2-1 win over Mallorca, guiding a cross to the back post across goal for Arda Güler to finish from close range. Alonso might look to utilise Huijsen’s aerial threat from set pieces even more as the season progresses.

It’s Huijsen’s ability with the ball at his feet that makes him so special, though. The 20-year-old is already such an important figure for Real Madrid in the way they build out from the back. Indeed, Huijsen’s arrival has given Los Blancos a completely different dimension in possession, especially down the left side of the pitch.

Three games into the season, Huijsen is averaging more passes per 90 minutes (87.3) than any other Real Madrid player. Not only this, his line-breaking ability is unmatched with the 20-year-old averaging one key pass into the final third per match. This is a quality that has frequently created moments of quick transition for Alonso’s side.

Huijsen’s per 90 passing stats in LaLiga

Huijsen is a central defender custom-built for modern football. Born in Amsterdam, the 20-year-old has the technical ability you’d expect from a Dutch national. Huijsen also benefited from the Spanish academy system having moved to Malaga at the age of five years old.

A move to Juventus at 15 gave Huijsen a grounding in the art of Italian defending with a season at Bournemouth affording the young centre back 12 months of Premier League physicality. Huijsen has had the ideal footballing education and is now putting it all together as a Real Madrid player. There are no clear flaws to his game.

“I try to aspire to be like Sergio Ramos. He’s my idol,” said Huijsen when asked about his footballing idols and the precedent he is following as a Real Madrid defender. “For me, he’s very complete, he had everything. In terms of leadership, goalscoring, personality, character.”

Raphaël Varane might be a better comparison when it comes to Huijsen and his skill set as a ball-playing defender. Either way, there’s growing belief that the Spanish international is destined for a career at the very top for both club and country. The €60m Real Madrid paid for Huijsen already looks to be something of a bargain.

Real Madrid targeted a new young centre back for a number of years, long before Alonso’s appointment at the end of last season. Leny Yoro was a long-term interest before Manchester United got there first, signing the French teenager from Lille last summer. Had things gone a little differently, Yoro would be in his second season as a Real Madrid player.

Yoro going to Old Trafford was a sliding doors moment for Huijsen and his career prospects. Real Madrid probably wouldn’t have been an option for him this summer had Yoro joined the Spanish giants. Huijsen wouldn’t have linked up with Alonso who already looks to be the perfect mentor for the young defender at this stage of his development.

Under Alonso, Real Madrid are going through a stylistic and tactical transition. The former Bayer Leverkusen has been tasked with bringing the Santiago Bernabéu outfit into the modern age. Alonso has spoken about making Real Madrid much more effective in and out of possession, moving away from the transition style that characterised the Carlo Ancelotti era.

There will be, and already has been, growing pains. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in and out of the lineup. Rodrygo has struggled for game time. Even Vinícius Júnior is having to prove himself as Alonso demands different things from his players. This is the start of a new era in the Spanish capital. In Huijsen, though, Real Madrid have a player who embodies that new beginning. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Real Madrid game on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Dean Huijsen already the perfect fit for Alonso’s Madrid era

Dean Huijsen is living up to his billing as Real Madrid’s next great centre back, following in the footsteps of Sergio Ramos, Raphaël Varane and others.

By Graham Ruthven

More than once since taking over as Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has spoken about his “process.” This has been the key word to describe what is happening at the Santiago Bernabéu right now with Los Blancos being reshaped in the image of their new boss. Dean Huijsen, however, looks a lot like the finished article.

Signed from Bournemouth for €60m, Huijsen has played every minute of Real Madrid’s opening three league fixtures this season. The 20-year-old has become a central pillar of Alonso’s new-look team and is proving himself as the Spanish giants’ next great central defender.

Huijsen’s player traits comparison against centre backs in top 5 leagues

Huijsen has it all. He can handle himself against the most physical of opposition forwards – see how Huijsen matched up well against Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi before the September international break. Huijsen still has some filling out to do, but his 6′ 5” frame makes him imposing.

That frame also makes Huijsen a threat in the air. The youngster contributed an excellent assist with his head in the 2-1 win over Mallorca, guiding a cross to the back post across goal for Arda Güler to finish from close range. Alonso might look to utilise Huijsen’s aerial threat from set pieces even more as the season progresses.

It’s Huijsen’s ability with the ball at his feet that makes him so special, though. The 20-year-old is already such an important figure for Real Madrid in the way they build out from the back. Indeed, Huijsen’s arrival has given Los Blancos a completely different dimension in possession, especially down the left side of the pitch.

Three games into the season, Huijsen is averaging more passes per 90 minutes (87.3) than any other Real Madrid player. Not only this, his line-breaking ability is unmatched with the 20-year-old averaging one key pass into the final third per match. This is a quality that has frequently created moments of quick transition for Alonso’s side.

Huijsen’s per 90 passing stats in LaLiga

Huijsen is a central defender custom-built for modern football. Born in Amsterdam, the 20-year-old has the technical ability you’d expect from a Dutch national. Huijsen also benefited from the Spanish academy system having moved to Malaga at the age of five years old.

A move to Juventus at 15 gave Huijsen a grounding in the art of Italian defending with a season at Bournemouth affording the young centre back 12 months of Premier League physicality. Huijsen has had the ideal footballing education and is now putting it all together as a Real Madrid player. There are no clear flaws to his game.

“I try to aspire to be like Sergio Ramos. He’s my idol,” said Huijsen when asked about his footballing idols and the precedent he is following as a Real Madrid defender. “For me, he’s very complete, he had everything. In terms of leadership, goalscoring, personality, character.”

Raphaël Varane might be a better comparison when it comes to Huijsen and his skill set as a ball-playing defender. Either way, there’s growing belief that the Spanish international is destined for a career at the very top for both club and country. The €60m Real Madrid paid for Huijsen already looks to be something of a bargain.

Real Madrid targeted a new young centre back for a number of years, long before Alonso’s appointment at the end of last season. Leny Yoro was a long-term interest before Manchester United got there first, signing the French teenager from Lille last summer. Had things gone a little differently, Yoro would be in his second season as a Real Madrid player.

Yoro going to Old Trafford was a sliding doors moment for Huijsen and his career prospects. Real Madrid probably wouldn’t have been an option for him this summer had Yoro joined the Spanish giants. Huijsen wouldn’t have linked up with Alonso who already looks to be the perfect mentor for the young defender at this stage of his development.

Under Alonso, Real Madrid are going through a stylistic and tactical transition. The former Bayer Leverkusen has been tasked with bringing the Santiago Bernabéu outfit into the modern age. Alonso has spoken about making Real Madrid much more effective in and out of possession, moving away from the transition style that characterised the Carlo Ancelotti era.

There will be, and already has been, growing pains. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in and out of the lineup. Rodrygo has struggled for game time. Even Vinícius Júnior is having to prove himself as Alonso demands different things from his players. This is the start of a new era in the Spanish capital. In Huijsen, though, Real Madrid have a player who embodies that new beginning. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Real Madrid game on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.