Exclusive: “Higher Level” – Youth Coach Of Liverpool Target With ‘Exceptional Qualities’ | OneFootball

By Mark Strickland

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Bournemouth centre back Dean Huijsen ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window of incoming and outgoings at Anfield.

Despite being confirmed as Premier League champions, there remain numerous question marks over a number of positions in Arne Slot’s squad and as such, sporting director Richard Hughes is expecting to be busy on the recruitment drive.

Signed from Juventus last summer, Huijsen has enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League and is attracting interest from around Europe, including the champions.

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To find out more about the 20-year-old, Dan Clubbe spoke to Mischa Visser, who was his coach at the Netherlands U17s, U18s and U19s.

He said: “At the Netherlands U17 team, Dean made his international appearance debut with us. It quickly became clear that he possessed exceptional qualities.

“He was very comfortable on the ball, capable of passing well with both his right and left foot. What I particularly value is his ability to outplay opponents through his passing or dribbling.

“He consistently makes the right decisions and executes them with strong technical ability.”

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The 2005-born Huijsen started playing with Costa Unida CF de Marbella before joining the youth set-up at Malaga aged 10.

He moved to Juventus in 2021, where he made his Serie A debut and scored his first goals in the division on loan at Roma between January and May 2024.

Visser said: “It’s typical for Dean that he chose to move to Juventus. It was another culture, and he had to learn a new language.

“It was also possible for him to play in Spain, but he chose the more difficult part.

“The move to Italy has significantly benefited his defensive development. There, he had the opportunity to learn from world-class players.

“Now, he’s able to combine the Dutch/Spanish football philosophy with the ball and the Italian way without the ball.

“Dean and I had a great working relationship – the U17 European Championship, where we reached the final, stands out to me in particular.

“Dean was a key player in that team. It’s not possible to rank him with other players because all the players have their own characteristics.”

Huijsen was born in the Netherlands, but his family relocated to Spain when he was five, and he became a Spanish citizen in February 2024.

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On March 15, 2024, he was called up by the Spain U21 team and almost a year later to the day by the senior side.

Ironically, his two caps have come against his birth country, and he is already a citizen of the world, speaking Dutch, Spanish, Italian and English.

Huijsen joined the Cherries in the Premier League last July and scored his first goal in England in a 1-0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs, as well as Liverpool, are interested in the coveted 20-year-old.

Visser added: “Honestly, I expected Dean would be able to play in a national team or a top European competition – but he did it quicker than I thought.

“On the other hand, Dean adjusts remarkably well to higher levels. He shows that every time. I think Dean will also adapt to a higher level.”

Redmen Reacts

Liverpool may be killing two birds with one stone at Bournemouth because the consensus is that Milos Kerkez is the Reds’ no.1 candidate at left-back.

It is the strongest Liverpool transfer rumour, and he and Huijsen are realistic targets for the Premier League Champions, looking to strengthen while on top.