Nearing the business end of the campaign, Bournemouth are one of the best surprises of the season in the Premier League. One of their success stories is a 19-year-old central defender who stepped seamlessly into the first-choice lineup. Dean Huijsen has attracted attention with the strength of his displays. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are among the clubs courting his signature.
Dean Huijsen Holds Value in Chelsea Plans
Important Release Clause
Huijsen, who spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Roma, was a “highly rated” arrival out of Juventus’ academy in the summer. However, he could already be on the move at the end of this campaign.
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The defender is experiencing a serious spike in interest on the south coast and Fabrizio Romano reported that Huijsen has a release clause in his contract with the Cherries that becomes active over the summer.
Huijsen had been at a lower rung in the pecking order, playing his first nine fixtures for the side as a substitute. However, he has joined Illia Zabarnyi in the centre of the defense since the start of December as his usual partner, Marcos Senesi, suffered a quadriceps injury and needed surgery.
Huijsen scored in a 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur. Since that day, he has earned four more clean sheets and five more wins as a member of a starting eleven that has not suffered a single league defeat in two months. It is little wonder that he has yielded so many admirers.
Why Does Dean Huijsen Interest Chelsea?
A transfer could involve moving to the capital city for this “exciting prospect.” Romano revealed that the defender is “high on the list” of possible investments for Chelsea once this season has finished.
Huijsen would help in a position of need. Chelsea’s latest spending spree has handed the team enough assets to climb the table, but a top four spot is under threat and flaws in the squad are starting to show.
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Trevoh Chalobah, whom the club deemed surplus to requirements in the summer, has ended his loan spell at Crystal Palace and is back in West London. It seems that Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi do not have the faith of their manager, Enzo Maresca, to tighten up the back four without Wesley Fofana.
His audition at Stamford Bridge was not outstanding. Huijsen has a cool and calm demeanor but had difficulties defending against Nicolas Jackson in his side’s 2-2 draw with the Blues earlier this month. However, he has received plaudits for his passing of the ball and progressive abilities out of the back.
That is not his only worth. Huijsen has a tall frame, standing at 6’5″ and both of his Premier League goals have been headers. Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said the team had a “height problem” and the central defender could be a useful recruit to try and take charge of duels in the air.
After a 3-1 loss to Manchester City, Chelsea have the same points as the Cherries. A winter window transfer is not on the cards, but a bid for one of Bournemouth’s best prospects is a reasonable bet.
