Huijsen Reflects on Juventus Exit, Coaches, and Friendship with Yildiz
In a recent interview, Dean Huijsen, the promising young defender who moved from Juventus to Bournemouth last summer, shared insights into his transfer and experiences in Italian football.
Huijsen revealed that leaving Juventus was not his preference, stating, “To be honest, I didn’t want to depart. The decision came from the club’s management and Thiago Motta, who explained the need to sell me for financial reasons.” The defender found himself at Bournemouth after Tiago Pinto, who had previously brought him to Roma, presented the Premier League club’s ambitious project.
Despite the unexpected move, Huijsen expressed satisfaction with his current situation at Bournemouth. He praised coach Andoni Iraola and highlighted the potential of teammates like Semenyo, Zabarnyi, Kluivert, and Kerkez. When asked about the team’s goals, Huijsen admitted that while Champions League qualification would be a dream, securing any European spot would be a remarkable achievement given the competition.
The young Spaniard spoke fondly of his time in Turin, particularly missing his close friend Kenan Yildiz. “We keep in touch regularly. He’s thriving at Juventus and has a special connection with the fans,” Huijsen said. He also commented on former teammate Matias Soulé’s struggles at Roma, acknowledging the challenges but affirming Soulé’s undeniable talent.
Reflecting on his experiences with high-profile coaches, Huijsen shared anecdotes about Massimiliano Allegri and José Mourinho. He recalled Allegri giving him the nickname “Eat and sleep” due to his disciplined routine in Turin, and expressed gratitude for his Serie A debut under the Italian coach. Regarding Mourinho, Huijsen remembered the Portuguese manager’s surprising personal call to recruit him to Roma.
Huijsen, who joined Bournemouth for €15 million on a contract until 2030, made 15 appearances in Serie A, scoring twice. The U21 Spain international looks forward to potentially facing his former clubs in European competition in the future.