Podcast Summary: The Athletic FC Podcast – "Why Does Everyone Want Dean Huijsen?"

Release Date: April 24, 2025
Host: Ayo Akimulere
Guests: Mark Carey (Senior Data Analyst), Phil Hay, David Ornstein (Football Correspondent), James Pearce (Liverpool Correspondent), Liam Toomey (Chelsea Correspondent), Guillermo Rai (Real Madrid Writer)
Focus: Exploring the rising interest in young Spanish center-back Dean Huijsen, his attributes, potential suitors, and the implications for his current club, Bournemouth.

Introduction to Dean Huijsen’s Rising Star

Timestamp: 03:06

Host Ayo Akimulere opens the episode by introducing Dean Huijsen, a 20-year-old center-back with only 22 Premier League starts but attracting interest from top clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. The discussion aims to uncover what makes Huijsen so coveted and which clubs might activate his £50 million release clause.

Notable Quote:
David Ornstein: “Dean Huijsen is certainly a man in demand, which is fairly remarkable for a player of such a young age and who has been operating in the Premier League for such a short space of time.” [03:48]

What Sets Huijsen Apart This Season

Timestamp: 05:31 – 09:28

Phil Hay shares his observations from watching Huijsen live during Bournemouth games. Huijsen stands out as a modern center-back, excelling not just defensively but also in ball-handling and initiating team buildup. His ability to play with both feet, carry the ball forward, and make incisive passes adds significant value. Mark Carey emphasizes Huijsen's confidence and tactical awareness at just 20 years old, noting that such defensive players typically peak later in their careers.

Notable Quotes:
Phil Hay: “He is the modern day center back… he steps out really well in terms of carrying the ball, progressing the play...” [05:31]
Mark Carey: “There is still time for him to fill out… he is very front-footed off the ball as well.” [07:53]

The Advantage of Being Two-Footed

Timestamp: 08:10 – 09:16

Phil Hay discusses the tactical benefits of Huijsen being two-footed. Coaches value players who can operate effectively on both sides of the central defense, enhancing distribution and adaptability. Mark Carey concurs, highlighting that such versatility is a rare and valuable trait among top-tier central defenders.

Notable Quote:
Phil Hay: “It gives you versatility, it gives you adaptability. It's a bit of a godsend for a coach.” [08:10]
Mark Carey: “It's a really big bonus tactically…” [08:44]

Potential Concerns and Room for Improvement

Timestamp: 09:28 – 17:47

Mark Carey addresses the limited sample size of Huijsen’s Premier League appearances, primarily stemming from his late integration into Bournemouth’s first team. While his attributes are promising, more consistent game time is necessary to build long-term confidence in his performance. Additionally, Phil Hay points out that Huijsen can sometimes be overzealous, stepping out of position and leaving gaps vulnerable to opponents, as seen in his international debut against the Netherlands.

Notable Quotes:
Mark Carey: “Ideally, you would have more minutes to go from…” [09:28]
Phil Hay: “He maybe just sometimes a little bit overzealous within those front-footed actions.” [16:18]

Bournemouth’s Position and Potential Moves

Timestamp: 17:47 – 19:18

Ayo Akimulere queries how Bournemouth can retain their star player amidst growing interest. Mark Carey explains that Bournemouth has limited leverage due to the predefined release clause (£50 million). While selling Huijsen is likely beneficial, Bournemouth has a history of reinvesting wisely into the squad. However, competition from financially robust clubs makes retaining Huijsen challenging.

Notable Quote:
Mark Carey: “Bournemouth doing what Bournemouth do, I could see them reinvesting that really well because that's their kind of track record.” [18:07]

Interest from Premier League Giants

Liverpool’s Interest

Timestamp: 22:46 – 24:16

James Pearce elaborates on Liverpool’s interest in Huijsen, citing the club’s need for defensive reinforcements. Huijsen fits Liverpool’s profile due to his age, technical skills, and Premier League experience. Liverpool views Huijsen as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, benefiting from Liverpool’s high-paced, aggressive playstyle where Huijsen can thrive.

Notable Quote:
James Pearce: “He has the potential to be Van Dijk's long term successor as Liverpool's left-sided center back.” [22:46]
Mark Carey: “He could play alongside Van Dijk and benefit from that the Dutchman's absolute wealth of experience.” [24:16]

Chelsea’s Interest

Timestamp: 29:52 – 33:51

Liam Toomey discusses Chelsea’s pursuit of Huijsen to strengthen their center-back lineup. Despite having promising young defenders, Chelsea lacks a settled partnership next to Levi Colwill. Huijsen’s ball-playing abilities and youthful potential make him an attractive candidate for Enzo Maresca’s strategy. However, Mark Carey raises concerns about Chelsea’s financial strategy and whether their current defensive turmoil allows for a strategic fit.

Notable Quote:
Liam Toomey: “Dean Huijsen fits the profile… someone that they could sign to an ultra long contract and would probably fit into the lower base salary, high incentive model.” [30:07]
Mark Carey: “It feels like it's going to come down to cash in the end.” [31:55]

Arsenal’s Position

Timestamp: 28:52 – 29:03

Phil Hay speculates on Arsenal’s interest, noting that while Arsenal maintains a strong defense, their focus may be directed towards other priorities like attacking positions. Mark Carey expresses doubt regarding Arsenal’s immediate need for Huijsen, suggesting their transfer funds may be allocated elsewhere.

Notable Quote:
Mark Carey: “I have my doubts that Arteta would see it as a mega priority.” [29:03]

Comparative Landscape of Young Center-Backs

Timestamp: 36:16 – 38:53

Mark Carey broadens the discussion to other young center-backs across Europe, highlighting talents like Murillo at Nottingham Forest, Jonathan Tarr at Bayer Leverkusen, and Jan Paul Van Hecker at Brighton. He emphasizes that while Huijsen stands out, the European market is rich with promising young defenders, making competition for such talents fierce.

Notable Quote:
Mark Carey: “It's always going to be a challenge to find good young center backs that you can have for a long period.” [36:16]
Mark Carey: “Perhaps just a case of looking hard enough, maybe sometimes going further afield and maybe taking a chance on a younger player.” [37:30]

Potential Moves Beyond the Premier League

Timestamp: 38:53 – 47:55

The conversation shifts to possible destinations outside the Premier League. Guillermo Rai from Real Madrid expresses admiration for Huijsen, noting Real Madrid’s defensive challenges and the potential for Huijsen to be a long-term asset. However, financial constraints may hinder an immediate move. Phil Hay and Mark Carey agree that a Premier League move is more probable due to the league’s competitive nature and Huijsen’s adaptability.

Notable Quotes:
Guillermo Rai: “If they send Huijsen, Real Madrid will be signing a player who really wants to join them and who has the club now as his priority.” [40:26]
Mark Carey: “I can see all roads do kind of lead to somebody like Huijsen, if you're planning for the future and for years ahead.” [46:29]
Phil Hay: “It will be a Premier League move for him, a top Premier League move.” [46:29]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 47:55 – End

Host Ayo Akimulere wraps up the discussion by acknowledging the high demand for Huijsen and the likelihood of a significant move this summer. The panel agrees that staying at Bournemouth is improbable given the widespread interest and that a move to a top Premier League club would best serve Huijsen’s development and career trajectory.

Notable Quote:
Mark Carey: “If he's going to make a move, I think it should be this summer because his stock is at a premium.” [47:08]
Phil Hay: “There is no chance, as much as anything from the sources that we've heard, it looks like he's going to move in the summer.” [46:29]

Insights and Takeaways

• Huijsen’s Attributes: Modern, two-footed center-back with strong ball-playing skills, tactical awareness, and confidence at a young age.

• Potential Clubs: Liverpool and Chelsea are leading suitors, with Real Madrid showing interest despite financial hesitations. Arsenal’s immediate need is questionable.

• Market Landscape: Europe boasts several young defensive talents, increasing competition for Huijsen’s signature.

• Bournemouth’s Position: Likely to sell Huijsen due to the attractive release clause, enabling Bournemouth to reinvest in their squad.

• Future Prospects: A Premier League move promises the highest level of competition and development opportunities for Huijsen, enhancing his career and market value.

Final Thoughts: Dean Huijsen is emerging as one of the most promising young center-backs in European football. His versatility, combined with his defensive and offensive contributions, makes him a coveted asset for top-tier clubs aiming to strengthen their backline with youthful talent. As transfer windows approach, Huijsen’s next move will be pivotal both for his career and the dynamics of the clubs interested in securing his services.

This summary is based on the transcript provided and captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from The Athletic FC Podcast episode titled "Why Does Everyone Want Dean Huijsen?"