Real Madrid youngster set to become the club’s starting centre-back after impressive display vs Deportivo | OneFootball

The new season is just around the corner and Real Madrid are certainly a team to watch, having signed no less than six new players during the summer transfer window so far.

Coach Jose Mourinho is already happy with the progress his team has made so far but he has some important decisions to make heading into the new season.

One of the main dilemmas Mourinho will face is in central defence, having roped in Ibrahima Konate to add more competition for Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.

Huijsen has the upper hand

For now, Huijsen appears to be the leading candidate to start as Real Madrid’s main left-sided centre-back, reports MARCA.

Huijsen should start the season as a first-team regular. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

This is not too surprising given that Huijsen is the only centre-back Real Madrid, who is comfortable with both feet and is not purely right-footed.

More importantly, Huijsen has shown some strong momentum lately, notably producing a stellar display in the recent friendly against Deportivo La Coruna.

In his first start under Mourinho at the Teresa Herrera Trophy, the Spaniard marshalled the defence superbly, registering seven successful defensive actions without losing a single duel.

It was a performance that reinforced the belief that Huijsen still possesses the potential to become an undisputed starter and a long-term cornerstone of the Real Madrid backline.

Embracing the weight of the number four

Can Huijsen take on the mantle of becoming Real Madrid’s defensive leader? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Huijsen’s growing importance is also reflected in his decision to take on the iconic number four shirt following David Alaba’s departure.

The number carries enormous weight at Real Madrid, having been worn by legends such as Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro, and Huijsen has embraced that responsibility.

“It was always my dream to play for Real Madrid and wear the number four. As a child, my idol was always Sergio Ramos,” he wrote on social media.

The one obstacle Huijsen must overcome is his injury record, which disrupted his previous campaign and even cost him a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.

He again trained alone for much of last week due to discomfort, underlining that his physical condition remains the key area to address.

Reunited with Mourinho, who he worked under at Roma, Huijsen now has the perfect platform to redeem himself and establish himself as Real Madrid’s defensive leader for years to come.