Chelsea have been linked multiple times with Bournemouth star defender Dean Huijsen but will be facing stiff competition for his services. The Blues have a connection with Huijsen through manager Enzo Maresca who was a player at Malaga when the youngster was with the club’s academy.
GIVEMESPORT has confirmed once again that the interest is real for both parties in a lengthy post but they also list several other clubs that are interested in Huijsen as well. Liverpool is the main rival at the moment given that they may have a need for a centerback partner alongside Virgil van Dijk if Ibrahima Konate departs for PSG which is the rumored destination.
It may be difficult for Huijsen to resist the urges of joining the Premier League champions and a team that is routinely making deep runs in the Champions League. This is especially the case if the path is cleared for him to be the main starter alongside VVD.
Three other clubs in Newcastle United, Tottenham, and Arsenal are mentioned as potential destinations but they have established centerback pairings that don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Only Arsenal can offer Huijsen Champions League football for certain at this point but that could change quickly if Newcastle stay ahead of Chelsea in the table. GMS also lists Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as potential destinations but say that a Premier League move is more realistic at this point.
As for Chelsea, Huijsen has a chance to come in and be an immediate starter alongside Levi Colwill who is the only centerback with a real future at the club. Axel Disasi has one foot out the door after a poor spell at the club, Tosin is a rotational player, Trevoh Chalobah is a squad player at best, and Benoit Badiashile may be facing a similar fate as a rotational player.
Both Colwill and Huijsen are what some refer to as “cultured” centerbacks as they are both comfortable on the ball and controlling possession from the back. They are also both under 22 years old and could theoretically form a pairing in the heart of Chelsea’s defense for the next decade.
If Chelsea are serious about competing on multiple fronts next year and pushing for a Premier League title, then Dean Huijsen is exactly the kind of signing they need to make. He is a young player that is experienced and talented beyond his years and would give their defense the immediate credibility it has lacked this season.