How Bournemouth’s punt on ‘Chill Guy’ Huijsen has paid off

SPORTIVO
Article arrow_drop_down

It was a transfer that went under the radar in the summer of 2024. But less than 12 months later, £12m has turned into £50m.

At the back end of July, before the window had even got going, Bournemouth signed a young 19-year-old defender from Juventus. That man was Dean Huijsen.

One appearance for ‘The Old Lady’ and 13 for Roma in 2023/24 didn’t exactly say he was the next best thing, but now he really is. Bournemouth clearly saw something that others didn’t. They had belief, a plan, and their recent recruitment suggests they can spot the special sauce. And Huijsen is oozing quality.


Monday 14th April 6:30pm


Kick off 8:00pm

Sky Sports Premier League HD
Sky Sports Premier League HD

It’s no secret that Huijsen’s £50m release clause will be activated by someone this summer, but with a host of big hitters all willing to pay it, Huijsen will have his pick, and according to the media – he can literally go anywhere.

From Real Madrid to Liverpool, Newcastle to Barcelona, the queue to get him goes round the block and back again.

But like most players when talking about their future, he wouldn’t be drawn on these links.

Huijsen, sat down on the fresh grass at the club’s new performance centre seemed in a relaxed mood. The big money, and big move talk hasn’t phased him one bit; “I’m very calm,” he said, “I don’t really focus on it, now is not the time, I’m just focused on finishing the season well.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the Premier League as West Ham took on Bournemouth

“My dad is my agent, he fixes everything, I don’t read anything, I don’t think about it too much, I’m just focusing on my football and working hard.”

Huijsen was also coy on the rumoured release clause as well, “I’m just focused on making history at this club,” he says with a smile, and I believe him.

His team-mates refer to him as ‘The Chill Guy’ – and you can see why. Whatever the price tag on his shoulders, he’s just loving his football.

Bournemouth have the fourth-best home defensive record in the top-flight, all thanks to the youngest centre-back partnership in the Premier League. It really is a case of, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen celebrates scoring against Tottenham
Image:
Huijsen joined Bournemouth from Juventus last summer

Huijsen added: “We’ve got a lot of good young players; we’ve got players that can make a big move or that are worth a lot of money. It just shows how smart the club has been with scouting, investing in players and trusting young players.

He added, “It’s not easy to trust young players in a big league like the Premier League. That’s what this club has done and it’s paid off.”

At the heart of their defensive resilience alongside 20-year-old Huijsen is 22 year-old Illia Zabarnyi – who is also being monitored by clubs at the top end of the footballing pyramid.

And that shouldn’t be a surprise. He’s also developed into an outstanding defender since his arrival at the club from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, and improved throughout the course of this season.

Spain's Dean Huijsen, background, duels for the ball with Netherlands' Donyell Malen during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg match, at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Image:
The 20-year-old made his senior Spain debut in March

Not only has Huijsen made his senior Spain debut in the last few weeks – after switching allegiance from the Netherlands – but he has had such an impressive first season in England. Goals, clean sheets and an ability to keep calm on the ball are all the attributes wanted from a defender these days.

Zabarnyi knows the importance of a solid relationship and how much that is key to Bournemouth’s defensive success.

“It comes with training, it comes with the more games you play together, you know when to cover for each other and that helps the relationship. You have to be supportive to each other. Yes, we are young, but on the pitch it doesn’t feel like we’re young.”

Bournemouth can boast a better home defence than Aston Villa, Man City, Newcastle and Chelsea, such has been their impressive home form this season.

But their recent form is the problem, and it may cost them Europe. No wins in six Premier League games, though that could change quickly. A win against Fulham and they’ll leap frog the Whites on goal difference.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Bournemouth players see their state-of-the-art new training facility at Canford Magna for the first time and take to the pitches. Credit: AFC Bournemouth

Zabarnyi explained: “The last couple of weeks we didn’t deserve anything. Now we need to be more focused. We’ve had time to work on the small things and show everyone, including ourselves, that we can win matches.”

Huijsen added: “We’re only three points off the top eight. We’ve got seven games to go, so there’s more than enough time. Every team over a season has these periods, everything is still open and we have everything to play for.”

Bournemouth might just get some luck this season, as the European spots could shuffle down as far as 10th, but before they worry about which place leaves them where in which European competition, they need to start winning games again. And that needs to start again Fulham.

Watch Bournemouth vs Fulham live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 6.30pm on Monday; kick-off 8pm.

This news was originally published on this post .

About the author

About the author call_made

SPORTIVO

More posts

trending_flat
Ohňostroj, bubny i křepčící Ďaloga. Brno v noci přivítalo zlaté hochy Komety

Desítky příznivců se srocovaly kolem brněnské arény už chvíli po zlatém úspěchu, k němuž Kometa dokráčela v úterý ve čtvrt na devět večer. Čekání na šampiony si příznivci krátili skandováním. Asi půl hodiny po půlnoci přijel před brněnskou arénu jako předvoj majitel klubu Libor Zábranský, jehož přivítali fanoušci aplausem, s některými z nich se i vyfotil.To hlavní nastalo chvíli před půl druhou ráno. Klubový autobus Komety se objevil před arénou a stovky příznivců propukly v jásot. Hráče brněnští příznivci přivítali menším ohňostrojem a světlicemi. Tak jsme mistři no a co! Skandovali fanoušci Komety na své hrdiny poté, co se otevřely dveře autobusu na parkovišti před brněnskou arénou.Z autobusu se postupně začali soukat zlatí brněnští hoši. Velký aplaus si vysloužil kapitán Jakub Flek nebo slovenský forvard Kristián Pospíšil, ovace si užil i třeba trenér Kamil Pokorný. Příznivci taky bouřlivě přivítali obránce Marka Ďalogu, který si pozornost užíval a na schodech autobusu křepčil. […]

trending_flat
Senators shut out Leafs, force Game 6 in Ottawa: Takeaways

TORONTO — Another day, another missed opportunity for the Maple Leafs to close out a series.After a 4-0 Senators win in Game 5, the Leafs still have a 3-2 series lead but you might not know it by the way they played at home. They struggled to connect passes when it mattered, could not execute with the puck deep in the Senators’ zone and generally looked tense.AdvertisementBy this point, we know the story: the talent on this Leafs team trumps the Senators, but the Leafs’ perennial problems closing out series have surfaced again.The Leafs’ core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly are now 1-12 in games with a chance to win a series.Full credit to the Senators for closing well defensively and getting elevated performances from players like Jake Sanderson and Linus Ullmark, who […]

trending_flat
Pacers eliminate Bucks from playoffs in brutal fashion, closing OT with 8-0 run

<!--> Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers stole one from the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.Indiana forced two turnovers in the final 29 seconds of overtime, and Haliburton blew past Giannis Antetokounmpo for the go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left to give the Pacers a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 series win.The Pacers closed the game with an 8-0 run over the final 40 seconds of OT to eliminate the Bucks in the first round for the second straight season. They will face top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals.ADVERTISEMENT -->Haliburton had 26 points and 10 assists as he improved to 9-0 in home playoff games. This chippy playoff series ended fittingly with a shoving match between the teams at midcourt.Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, tried to will the short-handed Bucks to victory, finishing with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 […]

trending_flat
Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho falls, makes behind-the-back grab to rob Red Sox’s Jarren Duran of hit

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho pulled off an improbable play that is immediately up for catch of the year.In the top of the fourth inning, Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter Jarren Duran hit a fly ball toward the wall in center field. Varsho ran toward the wall but tripped at the warning track, rolled, got up on one knee and tracked the ball before sticking his glove behind his back to catch it.The incredible play comes after the Blue Jays activated Varsho off the injured list earlier in the day to make his season debut. The reigning Gold Glove winner missed the first 28 games of the season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. HOW— pic.twitter.com/ianiIVKdWe — MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2025Last season, Varsho hit .214/.293/.407 with 58 RBIs in 136 games with Toronto. He’s in his third year […]

trending_flat
Milton Neves indica técnico para seleção brasileira após negativa de Ancelotti: “Nada de Jorge Jesus”

Jorge Jesus, técnico do Al-Hilal (Divulgação/X @Alhilal_FC) Milton Neves lamentou o fim das conversas entre CBF e Carlo Ancelotti. Logo após um impasse entre o técnico italiano e o Real Madrid para a sua liberação, as partes optaram por não dar prosseguimento na negociação. O jornalista não escondeu sua frustração com a vinda de Ancelotti, até então encaminhada, não ter evoluído. “Era bom demais para ser verdade!”, exclamou em seu blog no UOL. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na visão do colunista, o treinador europeu é um dos melhores do mundo e sua vinda para a seleção brasileira visando a Copa do Mundo 2026 seria um grande acréscimo para o escrete canarinho. Milton Neves faz coro por Abel Ferreira Deste modo, Miltão ressaltou sua rejeição ao nome de Jorge Jesus. Assim, voltou a pedir Abel Ferreira como o sucessor de Dorival Júnior, mandando […]

Related

trending_flat
Ohňostroj, bubny i křepčící Ďaloga. Brno v noci přivítalo zlaté hochy Komety

Desítky příznivců se srocovaly kolem brněnské arény už chvíli po zlatém úspěchu, k němuž Kometa dokráčela v úterý ve čtvrt na devět večer. Čekání na šampiony si příznivci krátili skandováním. Asi půl hodiny po půlnoci přijel před brněnskou arénu jako předvoj majitel klubu Libor Zábranský, jehož přivítali fanoušci aplausem, s některými z nich se i vyfotil.To hlavní nastalo chvíli před půl druhou ráno. Klubový autobus Komety se objevil před arénou a stovky příznivců propukly v jásot. Hráče brněnští příznivci přivítali menším ohňostrojem a světlicemi. Tak jsme mistři no a co! Skandovali fanoušci Komety na své hrdiny poté, co se otevřely dveře autobusu na parkovišti před brněnskou arénou.Z autobusu se postupně začali soukat zlatí brněnští hoši. Velký aplaus si vysloužil kapitán Jakub Flek nebo slovenský forvard Kristián Pospíšil, ovace si užil i třeba trenér Kamil Pokorný. Příznivci taky bouřlivě přivítali obránce Marka Ďalogu, který si pozornost užíval a na schodech autobusu křepčil. […]

trending_flat
Senators shut out Leafs, force Game 6 in Ottawa: Takeaways

TORONTO — Another day, another missed opportunity for the Maple Leafs to close out a series.After a 4-0 Senators win in Game 5, the Leafs still have a 3-2 series lead but you might not know it by the way they played at home. They struggled to connect passes when it mattered, could not execute with the puck deep in the Senators’ zone and generally looked tense.AdvertisementBy this point, we know the story: the talent on this Leafs team trumps the Senators, but the Leafs’ perennial problems closing out series have surfaced again.The Leafs’ core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly are now 1-12 in games with a chance to win a series.Full credit to the Senators for closing well defensively and getting elevated performances from players like Jake Sanderson and Linus Ullmark, who […]

trending_flat
Pacers eliminate Bucks from playoffs in brutal fashion, closing OT with 8-0 run

<!--> Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers stole one from the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.Indiana forced two turnovers in the final 29 seconds of overtime, and Haliburton blew past Giannis Antetokounmpo for the go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left to give the Pacers a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 series win.The Pacers closed the game with an 8-0 run over the final 40 seconds of OT to eliminate the Bucks in the first round for the second straight season. They will face top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals.ADVERTISEMENT -->Haliburton had 26 points and 10 assists as he improved to 9-0 in home playoff games. This chippy playoff series ended fittingly with a shoving match between the teams at midcourt.Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, tried to will the short-handed Bucks to victory, finishing with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 […]

trending_flat
Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho falls, makes behind-the-back grab to rob Red Sox’s Jarren Duran of hit

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho pulled off an improbable play that is immediately up for catch of the year.In the top of the fourth inning, Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter Jarren Duran hit a fly ball toward the wall in center field. Varsho ran toward the wall but tripped at the warning track, rolled, got up on one knee and tracked the ball before sticking his glove behind his back to catch it.The incredible play comes after the Blue Jays activated Varsho off the injured list earlier in the day to make his season debut. The reigning Gold Glove winner missed the first 28 games of the season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. HOW— pic.twitter.com/ianiIVKdWe — MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2025Last season, Varsho hit .214/.293/.407 with 58 RBIs in 136 games with Toronto. He’s in his third year […]

trending_flat
Milton Neves indica técnico para seleção brasileira após negativa de Ancelotti: “Nada de Jorge Jesus”

Jorge Jesus, técnico do Al-Hilal (Divulgação/X @Alhilal_FC) Milton Neves lamentou o fim das conversas entre CBF e Carlo Ancelotti. Logo após um impasse entre o técnico italiano e o Real Madrid para a sua liberação, as partes optaram por não dar prosseguimento na negociação. O jornalista não escondeu sua frustração com a vinda de Ancelotti, até então encaminhada, não ter evoluído. “Era bom demais para ser verdade!”, exclamou em seu blog no UOL. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na visão do colunista, o treinador europeu é um dos melhores do mundo e sua vinda para a seleção brasileira visando a Copa do Mundo 2026 seria um grande acréscimo para o escrete canarinho. Milton Neves faz coro por Abel Ferreira Deste modo, Miltão ressaltou sua rejeição ao nome de Jorge Jesus. Assim, voltou a pedir Abel Ferreira como o sucessor de Dorival Júnior, mandando […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

About SPORTIVO

Sportivo Network is a dedicated social platform for sports enthusiasts, athletes, and scouts. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete looking for opportunities, a coach searching for talent, or simply a sports lover wanting to connect with like-minded people, Sportivo is your go-to network. With features like direct messaging, profile showcasing, and talent scouting, Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity. Here, you can share your achievements, interact with professionals, and open doors to the next level in your sports journey. Join Sportivo Network – because every great athlete deserves to be discovered!
Copyright © 2025 SPORTIVO News. and SPORTIVO Network. All rights reserved.

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation