When Real Madrid triggered Dean Huijsen’s €62.5 million release clause this summer, it caused quite the stir in the league.
The decision to do so wasn’t about replacing an injured player or trying to stockpile talent.
Instead, it shows that Real Madrid is changing its defensive strategy.
Dean Huijsen is just 20 years old and has played only one season in the seniors, but Real Madrid is ready to stand behind him.
In this article, we’ll go over the deal and what it means for the team and the league.
Who Is Dean Huijsen — And Why Does He Fit The New Model?
Hujisen was born in Amsterdam but raised in Spain, and he played for a few academies, including Costa Unida and Málaga.
Juventus picked him up when he was a teenager.
After that, he was on loan to Roma, and that’s when he showed his abilities and maturity.
There, he became the club’s youngest Premier League goalscorer.
He was also nominated for Young Player of the Year in Rome, and the crypto sports betting sites noticed his ability and adjusted the odds on over/under bets on him scoring.
According to experts such as those at CCN, these sites allow players to wager using cryptocurrency regardless of where they are based.
At 1.95, Hujisen is both physically dominant and able to carry the ball and make passes through the midfield.
It’s this hybrid quality that Real Madrid is looking for most.
Inside Real Madrid’s Youth-First Defensive Rebuild
Madrid’s interest in Hujisen comes as a part of a broader change in the team’s attitude.
The team has been signing up players aged 18 to 22 to start building a team for the next decade.
The approach was already noticeable in the signing of Endrick, Arda Güler, and Fran García.
Real Madrid has experienced problems with the defense line for a while.
They mostly come from issues with the roster.
David Alaba and Éder Militão are still dealing with injuries and recovery, and only Antonio Rüdige remains at full capacity.
Huijsen has a contract that expires in 2030, and it seems that the team plans to keep him as a starter for a while.
Real Madrid will also continue with building from the back and focus on keeping the center-back comfortable with possession.
Why Pay €62.5m? Understanding La Liga’s New Youth Economics
The price tag for such a young defender seems to be huge.
However, La Liga has recently changed its financial rules, and there’s global inflation in player transfers.
The rules of the League differ from those of the Premier League, and teams can’t rotate through multiple expensive veterans or hand out massive salaries to ageing players.
Instead, there’s a structural focus on young talent.
There’s also a business reason to invest in Huijsen.
His value will probably rise in four years, and his salary is significantly lower than that of older players.
The development Huijsen experienced as a player may pay off the initial fee.
So far, Huijsen has been a regular starter, and he has had one assist.
His value is best seen in possession stats and pass quality.
In one match, he logged 114 touches, 93.8% pass accuracy, 28 progressive passes, 15 progressive carries, and an xT (expected threat) of 1.755.
However, in an important match against Atlético de Madrid, Huijsen struggled with a few key passes, and the match ended in a tie.
The Broader Landscape: Spain’s New Generation Of Centre-Backs
La Liga is undergoing a broader transformation among its centre-backs.
The Spanish football academies emphasize a different set of skills for young players, and as they mature, the league is starting to adapt to the new player profile.
For instance, there’s more of an emphasis on technical comfort under pressure.
The defender also needs to adapt to playing in high-pressing systems, since most Spanish teams now use this strategy.
The teams also favor home-grown and early-stage talents, rather than adding a ready-made player.
This is especially true when Saudi clubs and Premier League teams compete for the same roster and have the same purchasing power.
To Sum Up
Real Madrid has signed a 20-year-old player with limited senior experience, Dean Huijsen, for €62.5 million.
The contract ties him to the team until 2030. This is a part of the long-term process of changing the team’s approach to defense.
The same is happening with most teams in the league.
The investment will pay off in the long run, as Huijsen will be worth more when his contract expires, and he has already proven to be a valuable member of the team by maintaining ball possession and assisting in one important match.
