Real Madrid retain complete confidence in young defender as he aims to recover best form | OneFootball

According to a new report from AS, Real Madrid summer signing Dean Huijsen is set to shoulder a major responsibility in the upcoming league clash against Sevilla.

This is because Huijsen is expected to return to the starting XI as Alonso looks to help him regain rhythm and confidence after a disrupted spell. 

With Eder Militao sidelined, the defensive structure will inevitably change, and Huijsen must now adapt to a new partnership alongside Antonio Rudiger.

New partnership for Huijsen

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the young defender. Until now, Huijsen had grown accustomed to playing next to Militao, a partnership that brought stability and familiarity. 

With the Brazilian ruled out for an extended period, Rudiger becomes his reference point at the back. 

The two have only started together once before, away in Oviedo, making this partnership largely untested at the highest level. 

For Huijsen, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to show adaptability.

Notably, recent performances had started to raise questions about Huijsen’s quality, as he showed moments of hesitation, most notably in the Copa del Rey tie against Talavera.

Dean Huijsen has a huge task ahead of him. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

In that match, he suffered a few lapses during the first half. Those moments did not go unnoticed, especially in a team where defensive margins are always thin.

Complete backing from the manager

However, there is also a clear reason why Alonso continues to trust him. Huijsen’s ability on the ball remains one of his biggest strengths. 

His distribution from the back, calmness under pressure, and willingness to break lines with passes add an extra dimension to Real Madrid’s build-up play, something the coaching staff value highly.

It is also important to put his situation into context. Aside from recent knee discomfort, Huijsen had been a constant presence on the side. 

He started 14 out of the first 14 matches he was available for, accumulating 1,236 minutes.

Real Madrid have managed just two clean sheets in their last ten matches, a worrying trend for a club with title ambitions. 

Against Sevilla, Huijsen is not just filling a gap. He is being asked to lead, adapt, and remind everyone why he was seen as one of the most promising defenders at the club.