Huijsen on Juventus transfer decision, Allegri, Mourinho and missing Yildiz | OneFootball

Dean Huijsen didn’t want to leave Juventus last summer and misses his friend Kenan Yildiz, but doesn’t regret joining Bournemouth.

The U21 Spain international joined the Premier League side on a permanent transfer from Juventus last summer.

“Honestly, I didn’t want to leave; it was not my decision,” the promising defender told Gazzetta.

“During the first days of pre-season, the directors and Thiago Motta told me they needed to sell me to boost finances, so I had to find a solution.

“Tiago Pinto had already brought me to Roma, and he explained the ambitious Bournemouth project to me,” the Netherlands-born defender continued.

Huijsen on Juventus transfer decision, Allegri, Mourinho and missing Yildiz

GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Jose Mourinho, head coach of Roma, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

“Everything he told me in July is happening now. I have no regrets. On the contrary, I am happier and happier. We have an excellent coach like Andoni Iraola and players with huge potential like Semenyo, Zabarnyi, Kluivert and Kerkez.”

What’s the team’s target this season?

“The Champions League is a dream, but given the competitors, I think that qualifying for a European Cup would be an extraordinary result. I’d love to go to Europe and meet Juventus or Roma, who I always meet.”

Huijsen does not regret joining Bournemouth, but does he miss something about his life in Turin?

“My friend Kenan Yildiz,” he admitted.

“We often talk and he’s very happy at Juventus. He is in love with the Bianconeri fans. Kenan deserved to become the No.10 of one of the most important clubs in the world. He represents the Juventus style. His dribbles and passes are special, but he’s also a hard worker.”

How about Matias Soulé? The Argentinean is struggling at Roma. Huijsen played with the talented winger at Juventus.

“We text each other occasionally. It’s not easy to emerge from such a difficult situation, but his talent is unquestionable.”

Huijsen worked with Massimiliano and José Mourinho last season, even though the Giallorossi sacked the Portuguese just 10 days after the defender’s loan transfer.

“Allegri gave me the nickname,” said Huijsen.

“It was ‘Eat and sleep’ because it was all I was doing in Turin: eat, train and sleep. I will always be grateful to Allegri for giving me my Juventus and Serie A debuts.”

The 19-year-old added he’d never forget “When Mourinho called me because he wanted me at Roma. Mou was always surprising.”

Huijsen joined Bournemouth for €15m last summer and signed a contract until 2030.

The U21 Spain international made 14 appearances for Roma and one for Juventus.

He collected 14 Serie A appearances and scored two goals in Italy’s top flight.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, December 20, 2024, page 13.