Alessio Tacchinardi has criticised Juventus for allowing Dean Huijsen to move to AFC Bournemouth in July 2024.
The Italian spent 13 years at the Serie A side between 1994 and 2007. The Old Lady face Real Madrid in the Champions League later today and Wednesday’s edition of AS have published an interview with Tacchinardi.
During the course of the interview, he talks about the former Bournemouth star.
Juventus initially signed Huijsen from Málaga CF for their academy in 2019. He made only one appearance for their senior team.
In January 2024, the Turin club sent him on loan to AS Roma, when Tiago Pinto was their sporting director. Pinto left Roma a month later and joined Bournemouth in May 2024. He would have had a big role in bringing the centre-back to the Premier League club.
The 20-year-old played 36 matches for the Cherries and his impressive performances in his debut season didn’t go unnoticed. Real Madrid won the battle, and signed him in May for a reported £50m.
AS have asked Tacchinardi his views on the Italian club’s decision to sell the defender to Bournemouth.
“It was a big mistake, and we’re only now seeing it,” he said.
“I saw him play many times with the Juve U-23s because my house is next to the pitch. His potential is tremendous, and he could be a phenomenon as a centre-back, but he needs to improve defensively to achieve that. It was a shame he left.”
Andoni Iraola’s side have made a capital gain from Huijsen’s sale to Real Madrid and have already capitalised on Juventus’ ‘big mistake’.