Dean Huijsen talks Real Madrid move, Rudiger, Carvajal, Lamine, Sergio Ramos | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s new signings have all hit the ground running well and provide significant upgrades to the squad from last season.

Dean Huijsen, however, has stood out the most among them and has made himself a mainstay in no time at the club.

The centre-back has walked into Xabi Alonso’s starting lineup and has given the manager no reason but to consider him anything but the leader of the backline and it is clear that his stocks will go through the roof in the coming years.

On his Real Madrid move

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the Real Madrid star was asked about his move to the club, his national team call-up and other topics at length.

He began by speaking on how he is enjoying his time at Real Madrid and how it all happened out of the blue.

“Yes, it seems that everything happens very quickly, but each player is taking steps little by little.”

“This has been a big step, without a doubt. For any footballer, it is to get to Real Madrid. I’m fine,” he added.

He then revealed that the dressing room was what he loved most about the club so far, for it had amazing people and players.

“The dressing room, the people. Everyone has welcomed me very well. In addition, the facilities, the trips – everything is spectacular. I’m very happy.”

Wanted to play up front

Huijsen initially wanted to play as a forward in his early footballing days and only later shifted to his current position at centre-back. Commenting on that dream, he said,

“Yes, my father wanted me to play forward, but at the age of 9 I went to the centre and the following year I signed for Malaga. I’m good at it, I think. What I wanted was to have fun playing football.”

“If I didn’t have fun I couldn’t do what I do. Although the level demands a lot, if you have a free head you also enjoy,” he added when asked if he still had fun playing the game.

Playing at Real Madrid means training with the likes of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and other players who are the best in the world in their position. When asked if that was more difficult than matches, he said,

“It’s the best for me, because it makes me get better every day. Sometimes the training is even more level than the games.”

“They are different things,” he added, stating that training and matches cannot be compared.

Finally, the player opened up about the teammates he was closest to in the dressing room.

“I listen a lot to Rudiger and Carvajal, but we are a very close group and we do things together.”

On the Spanish National Team

Excelling at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Huijsen also shed light on how it was making his debut for the Spanish national team in the Netherlands amidst jeers, given his roots in the Dutch country.

“I expected it a little. It didn’t affect me too much. I even see it as something positive: if people get angry, they whistle at you, it also means that they care,” he said.

“My whole family is Dutch, but I’ve been in Spain all my life, my customs are Spanish and I feel Spanish. They understand it,” he added.

Giving his two cents on the FIFA World Cup and what he felt about potentially winning it, the player said,

“First you have to qualify. But, of course, playing in a World Cup is something very special for any football player.”

Huijsen went on to share his thoughts on Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, given that they share the dressing room for country but are rivals at the club level.

“A great player. I hope he does very well here and that when we face each other in the league he doesn’t do much.”

Huijsen then opened up on Sergio Ramos whom he considers his idol and explained why he felt so.

“Yes, since I was a child. I think his ball playing was underestimated. For me, he has always been a reference.”

When asked jokingly if he would ever step up for penalties like his idol, he said,

“Difficult, there are very good specialists in the team. I don’t think they’ll let me, because there are very good kickers.”

Finally, the player was asked how it felt to be strong with the ball at both his feet, leaving opponents confused.

“That’s good. When it comes to being pressured, it’s easier for me. I can go out on the right or I can go out on the left.”

“I don’t like it, like any player,” he said, concluding his interview when asked how he felt when he lost a game.

Source: MARCA