Juventus loanee Dean Huijsen confirmed that he will be returning to the Bianconeri at the end of the season: “The only thing certain is that I’m going back to Juve.” The talented Dutchman is enjoying his loan spell with Roma, and speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he talked about the season to date, his role models and his intentions for the future:
Which language do you prefer?
“I speak Dutch, English, Italian, and Spanish. I’ll choose Spanish then. There’s not much to say, it was simple: I received my Spanish passport, and I didn’t think much about it. It was a choice dictated by the heart that I didn’t struggle to make.”
We need to take a step back and tell your story.
“With pleasure. I was born in Amsterdam in 2005, and in the summer of 2010, curiously during the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, my parents decided to move to Marbella.”
Why?
“They had been vacationing on the Costa del Sol for years, and they decided to change their lives. A trial period of one or two years. We never left.”
What do they do?
“They entertain children: in winter, they set up trampolines for jumping, and in summer, water parks in the sea, with slides and inflatables. You know?”
Of course. And your story?
“I have two older brothers who don’t play football; I went to an international school and started playing football, things went well, and when I was of age, the Dutch national team approached me. I couldn’t say no, given my origins. But I always had Spain in mind. I grew up here. I wanted the change of national team; if it hadn’t been like that, I wouldn’t be here.”
How did the Netherlands take it?
“With fair play. They were disappointed, sorry to lose me, but they didn’t make a fuss.”
And your parents?
“Maximum freedom of choice. They told me to do what I felt and wanted, they would have supported me in any case.”
So, you’ve always been more of a Sergio Ramos than a Van Dijk.
“Absolutely, he was my idol. And I don’t say that because he’s Andalusian, the region where I grew up. For me, Sergio Ramos has been one of the strongest central defenders in the history of football.”
Now you find yourself between two teams even at the club level. You’ve been loaned from Juve to Roma.
“Something that doesn’t happen so often. Honestly, I didn’t think about it too much. The opportunity presented itself, and I seized it.”
Why do you think you weren’t playing at Juventus?
“Honestly, I don’t know. I only know that when they offered me to go to Roma, I liked the idea a lot because it’s a great club, and then if someone like Mourinho calls you, it’s hard to say no.”
Indeed… Did you hope to play a lot?
“I thought that if they called me, it was because they needed me. Then I earned the rest. Every minute played is the result of work and sacrifice.”
And then, a few weeks later, the coach changed, from Mourinho to De Rossi. And you kept playing.
“Yes, and I think it’s a good sign. That’s what I meant when I talked about earning it. I adapted quickly to the change, also because they are two exceptional coaches and people. I’m surrounded by great teammates: I have fun, I learn.”
After the change in the dugout, Roma started to fly.
“Yes, we’re doing well; we’ll see where we can go. The goal, of course, is the Champions League.”
And the Europa League against Milan?
“Two matches that I’m forced to skip because I’m not on the list; I’ll cheer from the stands. We can make it.”
Your future?
“Well, Roma doesn’t have any purchase option. But from football, I’ve learned one thing, you never know what can happen. The only thing certain is that I’m going back to Juve and I’ll make myself available. It’s the first big club that believed in me; I can only have words of gratitude.”
And with Spain? Do you dream of the European Championship with the Roja?
“Of course, I dream of it. It will depend on how the season ends. And there are also the Olympics. As you can see, my future is always quite open.”
Spain has called up Pau Cubarsì, a 2007.
“You shouldn’t look at the passport but at how one plays. If someone is 10 years old and is good, let them play. Quality matters, not age.”
