Dean Huijsen is becoming one of the most exciting talents on the planet – from Juventus to Bournemouth to Real Madrid is quite the journey and the 20-year-old’s performance against Pachuca has piqued the interest of a) fans and b) the Spanish media.
Xabi Alonso’s Los Blancos parted ways with a whopping £50 million, which thus triggered his enticing release clause, to sign the Amsterdam-born sensation as they look to re-build after a trophyless campaign under the wily Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso – one of the best young managers in world football – and his men picked up their first win of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a 3-1 win over Pachuca, but how did Huijsen perform, and what’s the common consensus about the youngster’s performance?
Huijsen’s Highlight Reel vs Pachuca Emerge
The youngster enjoyed 97 touches of the ball
Huijsen, a three-cap Spain international, lined up alongside Raul Asencio (before he got sent off seven minutes in) and played the entire 95 minutes of their second game against the Liga MX outfit, who have lost both of their opening encounters in the United States.
And big things were expected given that, after a slow start to proceedings on England’s south coast, he became indispensable to boss Andoni Iraola and his entourage. But what are the statistics, per Sofascore, behind his most recent performance?
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As mentioned, he played all 95 minutes of the encounter and, in that time, he enjoyed 97 touches of the ball and of those, he completed 75/81 (93%) of his passes, with three of his attempted seven long balls being completed, all with relative ease.
That’s what is special about Huijsen – even if his calm and composed nature can sometimes catch him out, thus leading to him losing possession. As evidenced by his highlights package below, the defender excels at breaking lines with his passing.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, playing for Real Madrid. There have been many players, over the years, that have struggled to show what it takes to follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest to ever do it – but that’s not the case for Huijsen, according to Mundo Deportivo, who had a clear message for fans: ‘don’t worry’!
“Another great game from the centre-back, who is not too big to play for Real Madrid.”
Elsewhere, Football Espana gave him a 6/10 rating but the Spanish publication did admit that his slight mishap allowed Rondon to regain possession. They wrote: “Huijsen’s slack play allowed Rondon to steal in and put pressure on Asencio, but the overall signs remain positive.”
huijsen
Los Blancos Faithful Waxes Lyrical About Huijsen
'Thank God he didn’t go to Barca. This boy is a Ramos regen'
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In good spirits after earning their first win – of potentially many – in the Club World Cup, Real Madrid supporters rushed to social media to wax lyrical about the Malaga academy graduate. One said: “He defends so calmly. So experienced for his age.”
“Even with [Asencio’s] red card, he is able to drop deep, give passes. He’s so calm on the ball, what a gem,” a second supporter said as another gave the Real Madrid higher-ups ‘kudos’ for striking a deal with the Cherries.
“He completely educated me about himself. I was arrogant to think he is not a good enough player. He is the most exciting part of Madrid squad now. Kudos to whoever decided to sign him.”
Albeit in gest, a final supporter insisted that Real Madrid should cough up extra money for Bournemouth. They wrote: "We should send 30 million more to Bournemouth. Both feet man? Thank God he didn’t go to Barca. This boy is a Ramos regen.”
All statistics per Sofascore - correct as of 23/06/2025
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