Xabi Alonso Lobbies Chelsea to Land £60m Real Madrid Defender Dean Huijsen

Xabi Alonso is reportedly pushing Chelsea to sign Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen for a fee of £60 million, according to Sports Boom. The 20-year-old Dutch defender, currently on loan at Bournemouth, has caught the eye of the Bayer Leverkusen manager, who sees him as a key target for Chelsea's summer rebuild.

Context and Background

Huijsen joined Real Madrid from Juventus in 2024 for an initial £12.7 million, but has since been loaned out to Bournemouth to gain Premier League experience. His performances on the south coast have been impressive, featuring 22 times in all competitions and helping the Cherries maintain a solid defensive record. The centre-back, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, has shown composure on the ball and strong aerial ability.

Chelsea's defensive woes have been well documented this season. The Blues have conceded 48 goals in 34 league matches, the worst record among the top half of the table. Manager Enzo Maresca has rotated between several centre-backs, including Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, and Benoît Badiashile, but none have nailed down a consistent partnership. Thiago Silva's departure last summer left a leadership void that has yet to be filled.

Alonso's interest in Huijsen is not surprising given their shared Dutch heritage and Alonso's reputation for developing young defenders. At Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has transformed the likes of Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba into elite-level centre-backs, using a high-pressing system that demands quick decision-making and technical security from the backline. Huijsen's profile fits that mould perfectly.

Impact and Analysis

If Chelsea were to complete a £60 million move for Huijsen, it would represent a significant investment in a player with just one season of top-flight experience. However, the fee reflects the inflated market for young, home-grown (or English-trained) defenders with Premier League exposure. For context, Manchester United paid £80 million for Harry Maguire in 2019, and Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk for £75 million in 2018. Huijsen's £60 million price tag sits in the middle of that bracket, but with potential for growth.

Tactically, Huijsen would offer Chelsea a left-footed centre-back capable of playing out from the back — an attribute Maresca values heavily. His ability to step into midfield and launch accurate long passes would help Chelsea break through low blocks. Defensively, his 1.95m frame makes him dominant in both boxes, winning 68% of aerial duels this season.

From a Fantasy Premier League perspective, Huijsen is currently owned by just 2.4% of managers, but his price of £4.4 million makes him a budget enabler. Bournemouth's remaining fixtures are mixed (including Arsenal and Brentford), but his potential summer move to Chelsea would see his ownership skyrocket, especially if Chelsea fix their defensive issues.

  • Huijsen's passing accuracy of 89% ranks among the top 10 centre-backs in the Premier League this season.
  • He has made 1.8 tackles per game and 3.2 clearances, showing a well-rounded defensive game.
  • At 20, he has over 100 senior appearances across Juventus, Roma, and Bournemouth, demonstrating remarkable experience for his age.

The transfer also has implications for Chelsea's squad planning. If Huijsen arrives, it could spell the departure of one of their existing centre-backs, with Disasi and Badiashile reportedly available for the right price. Chelsea are also linked with other defenders, but Alonso's advocacy for Huijsen gives the Dutchman a strong edge.

What's Next

Real Madrid are reluctant to sell Huijsen permanently, but a £60 million offer may prove irresistible, especially given their need to fund moves for other targets. Chelsea are expected to make a formal approach once the season ends, with Huijsen reportedly keen on a return to London. The summer window will be pivotal for both clubs, and this saga could be one of the early movers.

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