Dean Huijsen Emerges as Key Defender for Real Madrid at Club World Cup
Young defender Dean Huijsen has quickly established himself as an integral part of Real Madrid’s defense during the ongoing Club World Cup. Following a rocky start, the team secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Pachuca, showcasing Huijsen’s impressive capabilities.
Real Madrid’s journey in the tournament began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal. However, they rebounded in their match against Pachuca, despite a challenging situation where they were reduced to ten men due to Asencio’s red card in the sixth minute. The young defender Huijsen, age 20, stood out during the match, excelling in his defensive role and contributing significantly to the team’s offensive efforts.
Recently signed from Bournemouth for €59.3 million, Huijsen has drawn considerable attention for his performances. Spanish media outlets have praised him, with Tomás Roncero from Cadena SER calling him “the signing of the century” for Real Madrid’s defense.
Dean Huijsen vs Pachuca: @DHuijsen
Huijsen received the top match rating of 9/10 from the newspaper “AS,” matching the results of renowned players Courtois and Gonzalo García. Journalist Sergio López highlighted Huijsen as the standout player, projecting him as a long-term starter. He emphasized the defender’s remarkable skill set, which includes excellent tackling and passing abilities that facilitate building plays from the back.
Impressive Performance Metrics for Huijsen
In his first two matches for Madrid, Huijsen has excelled in key defensive statistics, including tackles, clearances, and duels won. Furthermore, he has played an essential role in the team’s attacking strategy with precise passing and involvement in plays leading to goals.
Notably, Huijsen assisted in initiating Real Madrid’s third goal, demonstrating his offensive capabilities. Here are his key statistics from the match against Pachuca:
- 95 minutes played
- 97 touches
- 7 clearances
- 1 interception
- 3 tackles
- 0 times dribbled past
- 75 out of 81 accurate passes (93%)
- 7 duels won
As Huijsen solidifies his place in the starting lineup, Real Madrid is set to face RB Salzburg on Thursday, June 26, at 10 PM UK time. The team currently leads Group H with four points.
This article was originally published on Trivela.