Dean Huijsen has consolidated his position as a starter in the Real Madrid defense after an outstanding performance in the Clásico against Barcelona. In the match, the Spanish midfielder recorded ten clearances, four blocked shots and sixteen defensive contributions, figures that support the trust that José Mourinho has placed in him. The performance allowed him to close the gap with his competitors and demonstrate that, despite the doubts that arose after his expulsion in the Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid, he is a key player for the team.
Real Madrid paid Bournemouth 59 million euros to sign Huijsen two summers ago, and since then they have sought to make the center-back adapt to the demands of the League and the Champions League. His performance at the Camp Nou was decisive, as he showed not only his defensive capacity but also his ability to initiate the construction of the game from the rear. In the Clásico, his presence alongside Ibrahima Konaté reinforced the team's defensive solidity, reducing the threat of Barcelona's forwards and maintaining the pressure at critical moments of the match.
The season has been a rollercoaster for Huijsen. After his expulsion at the Metropolitano, criticism increased about his concentration and ability to face high-level matches. However, the player regained ownership after serving his suspension in the League and after the departure of Rüdiger, who had been substituted at Villarreal and sat on the bench in the match against Roma. Real Madrid also had the presence of Éder Militão, who after a six-month injury was almost ready to return to action, although the coach had expressed that he expected more from him.
In the matches against Sevilla and Leipzig, Huijsen maintained a high level and secured a place in the starting eleven. His performance at the Camp Nou was the highlight of his season, where he demonstrated the forcefulness that had been demanded of him. Their interventions in moments of greatest demand reinforced Mourinho's confidence in the centre-back pair, leaving Rüdiger and Militão in the background as alternative options.
With a visit to Racing Santander on the horizon, Huijsen faces the challenge of maintaining the continuity of his improvement and retaining the position he has won. The competition for ownership is still alive, but the Real Madrid centre-back has shown that he can close the door to his rivals and maintain the key to his position in the team.