Assessing three reasons behind Real Madrid summer signing’s sudden decline | OneFootball

The sudden shift in perception around Dean Huijsen at Real Madrid is one of the more telling stories of the season. 

Signed as one of the club’s most exciting summer additions, the young defender has gone from being a symbol of the future to a figure questioned by sections of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful. 

Huijsen’s recent dip in form cannot be pinned down to one simple explanation. While individual performances have played a role, the broader context matters just as much. 

As such, his struggles have coincided with a visible downturn in Xabi Alonso’s project, as Real Madrid are now spending longer periods defending deep in their own half.

Tactical limitations

With Madrid no longer pressing as aggressively or pinning opponents back, the full-backs and centre-backs are left dealing with constant transitions. 

For a 20-year-old defender still learning the demands of top-level football at a club like Real Madrid, that environment is unforgiving. 

Unlike seasoned figures such as Eder Militao or Antonio Rudiger, the former Bournemouth defender does not yet have the physical dominance or experience to consistently win every duel or recover when balls are played in behind.

Dean Huijsen spends more time in his own half than before. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Notably, earlier in the season, the picture looked very different. 

When Madrid pressed higher and played closer to the opposition’s box, Huijsen was often the player stepping out from the back, initiating moves near the halfway line and staying involved in the game. 

Now, instead of dictating play, he finds himself tracking runners and defending space for long stretches. 

That change alone can weaken the confidence, especially for a defender whose strengths lie in anticipation and build-up play.

A new partner

Another key factor has been the loss of stability beside him. Huijsen’s development accelerated when he played alongside Militao, who acted as a clear reference point in defence. 

Militao’s leadership and authority allowed the youngster to feel freer, take risks, and learn from one of the best in the position. 

Since the Brazilian’s injury, however, that dynamic has disappeared. Although Rudiger brings experience, the partnership is still raw. 

Huijsen has only started once alongside the German, back on the second matchday against Real Oviedo, and chemistry takes time.

Physical issues

Dean Huijsen needs to step up. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Physical issues have also disrupted his rhythm. Huijsen recently spent three weeks sidelined with knee discomfort, but doubts had surfaced even before that. 

Against Liverpool, he endured a particularly difficult outing, losing possession repeatedly and struggling with accuracy. Moments like that tend to linger in the memory at Real Madrid.

Despite everything, calm prevails inside the club. The board remain convinced that a player who has already earned minutes at Real Madrid and broken into the national team at just 20 has the talent and mentality required for the highest level. 

This is why the ongoing holidays will offer Huijsen a chance to disconnect, recover, and reset.

For what it is worth, this was never meant to be an easy journey, as both the club and the player understood that setbacks would be part of the process. 

For Huijsen, the challenge now is to absorb this difficult phase, learn from it, and prove that this chapter is just a pause, not a final nail in the coffin.