Chelsea haven't been in the same high-flying form they started this Premier League campaign with, losing four of their last eight games in all competitions, including a 1-0 loss against Arsenal, a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa and back-to-back losses against Brighton.
However, despite their poor run of form, Enzo Maresca's side still find themselves fourth in the Premier League table with nine games left to play as they enter the final stretch for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Chelsea's Marc Cucurella celebrates scoring their first goal with Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea are the Premier League's joint-fourth top scorers, netting 53 times in 29 games so far, but whilst their defensive numbers have improved this season, Maresca will still be keen to refine this area of the pitch next season, looking to add personnel that fits his tactical ideas both on and off the ball.
Chelsea want to sign Premier League defender
Having kept a clean sheet in three of their last six games in all competitions, signing a new defender may not top Maresca's bucket list this summer but they are on the lookout for a new centre-back, nonetheless.
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The Blues have been linked with a move to bring Marc Guehi back to Stamford Bridge from Crystal Palace but he's not the only Premier League star on the club's radar.
Indeed, according to reports from Spain, via SportWitness, Chelsea are in the race for Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, and will challenge the likes of Real Madrid for the 19-year-old defender's signature in the summer transfer window.
The report mentions that Maresca will be a key figure in this deal, with the Italian reportedly being in "direct contact" with the defender's entourage for "years" after playing for Malaga in Spain, the same academy Huijsen was with from 2015-2021.
Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen celebrates scoring their first goal with AFC Bournemouth's Ryan Christie and AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez
Fabrizio Romano has also revealed that the Spanish defender has a £50m release clause, which will become active in the summer, valid for all clubs with no limitations around the deal. Romano also stated, 'movements around the defender have already started.'
How Dean Huijsen compares to Fofana & Colwill
Bournemouth made the signing of Huijsen for a fee of around just £12.6m, with add-ons potentially taking the deal to a total of £15.2m.
That has proven to be a bargain with the 19-year-old making 27 appearances for the Cherries this season, scoring twice and contributing to six clean sheets in his 2,093 minutes played.
The number of minutes he's played is particularly important here. That's because no other teenager in the top-flight this term has played more often than him.
Teenagers with most minutes in the Premier League
So, what could he offer to Maresca's set-up and how would he improve the make-up of this Chelsea backline?
Well, when comparing Huijsen to both Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, you can see the Bournemouth defender is a combination of the two.
Huijsen vs Wesley Fofana & Colwill in 24/25
Stats (per 90 mins)
Goals + Assists
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Pass Completion %
Passes into Final Third
Tackles
Blocks
Interceptions
Aerial Duels Won
Stats taken from FBref
Indeed, Huijsen provides the aggressive duel qualities to win aerial and ground battles, make tackles and blocks, but also has the on-ball silk to pick passes, making 5.80 passes into the final third per 90 minutes.
Notable scout Jacek Kulig has labeled the 19-year-old as a "phenomenal" young centre-back who has "maturity far beyond his years" and it is clear to see why he has such a long list of suitors with these qualities.
The Spain international has the ability to partner either one of Colwill or Fofana next season, possessing both the on-ball qualities needed in Maresca's back line - usually acquired by Colwill's inclusion - and also having the defensive capability to step up, defend high and win his duels.
AFC Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen during the warm up before the match
Having these three as centre-back options next season could give Chelsea and Maresca a much better chance of taking that next step and eventually challenging for a title.
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Enzo Maresca could have a solution to his current Chelsea centre-forward issue.