Dean Huijsen, the 19-year-old Spanish defender now thriving at Bournemouth, has shared insights about his departure from Juventus and his experience in the Premier League. Currently sitting sixth in the league table, Bournemouth has been a revelation this season, with Huijsen contributing 11 appearances and even scoring a memorable goal against Tottenham.
As Bournemouth prepares to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, Huijsen expressed his excitement in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It’s a dream to play in a historic stadium like Old Trafford,” he said. He will also reunite with former teammates Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, reflecting on their connections: “De Ligt I met at Juventus, and we still write to each other. Zirkzee I faced last year when he was at Bologna: he’s strong and intelligent; let’s hope we can stop him.”
Discussing the allure of the Premier League, Huijsen remarked, “The Premier League is magical: every weekend you can win or lose against anyone. There’s an insane quality; it’s less tactical than Serie A but faster and more intense. You find champions everywhere.” He specifically highlighted Erling Haaland and Son Heung-min as players who have left a lasting impression on him: “But no one has impressed me more than Haaland from Manchester City and Son from Tottenham.”
Reflecting on his departure from Juventus, Huijsen candidly stated, “Honestly, I never wanted to leave. It wasn’t my choice. During the first days of preparation at Continassa, the management and Thiago Motta told me they needed to raise funds with my sale and that I had to find a solution.” Despite having multiple offers across Europe, he chose Bournemouth because of the ambitious project presented by sporting director Tiago Pinto: “He had already signed me on loan at Roma last January and convinced me to join him here by explaining Bournemouth’s ambitious project. Everything he told me in July is happening.”
Huijsen expressed his satisfaction with his decision: “I haven’t regretted it; on the contrary, I’m increasingly happy at Bournemouth. We have an excellent coach like Andoni Iraola and many players with enormous potential: think of Kluivert, Semenyo, Zabarnyi, Kerkez… We are a wildcard.”
When asked about his aspirations with Bournemouth, he said, “If I dream, I think about the Champions League. But given the competition, qualifying for one of the European Cups would be an extraordinary achievement.” He added that he would love to face Juventus or Roma in Europe: “I follow both clubs closely.”
Despite his success in England, Huijsen does not dwell on what could have been had he stayed in Turin: “It wasn’t my decision to leave, but I have no regrets. Every day I am more satisfied with my adventure at Bournemouth.” However, he does miss certain aspects of Juventus: “I miss my friend Kenan Yildiz.”
Huijsen also encouraged Yildiz regarding a potential future in the Premier League: “We talk often, and I hear he’s very happy at Juventus; he’s in love with the Bianconeri fans. I don’t find it hard to believe him. Kenan has deservedly become the number 10 of one of the most important clubs in the world and represents Juve’s style well. Besides being special in dribbling, passing, and shooting, he’s a hard worker.”
Maintaining connections with former teammates is important to Huijsen: “I keep in touch with Svilar and Pisilli from Roma. And even with Lukaku.” When asked about his surprise regarding Juventus being sixth or Roma being twelfth in the standings, he noted, “It’s more surprising to see Roma so far back, but I know many of their players and am convinced they will rise again soon.”
Regarding his former teammate Matias Soulé, Huijsen said, “We write to each other occasionally. It’s not easy to take off in such a complicated situation, but Soulé’s talent is unquestionable; he will show it at Roma.”
Among Juventus’ new signings this season, Huijsen has been particularly impressed by Conceição: “He always takes on defenders and often beats them in dribbling. He’s someone who gives you a headache; when I watch him play, I think about how difficult he is to mark.”
As for a potential return to Serie A in the future? Huijsen kept an open mind: “I was happy in Italy; in football… never say never. But right now, I’m content at Bournemouth.”
Huijsen’s playful goal celebration against Tottenham became viral worldwide: “It was a joke with some friends; I never imagined it would become so viral.”
Looking back at his time under Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus brought back fond memories for Huijsen: “He called me ‘eat and sleep’ because my life in Turin was training, eating, and going to bed. I will always be grateful to Allegri; he gave me my Serie A debut with Juventus.”
Finally, when asked about his relationship with José Mourinho and Daniele De Rossi from his time at Roma, he said warmly: “Yes. I owe a lot to both of them.” He recalled Mourinho’s call that brought him to Roma: “When he called me because he wanted me at Roma—Mou always surprised you.”
