Does Dean Huijsen want to contend with being a back-up at Real Madrid?
That is the question Juanito, who coached Huijsen as a youngster at Malaga, has for the Spanish international.
Huijsen is set to be one of the hottest properties in the summer window thanks to a breakout season with Bournemouth.
Several of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Liverpool and Madrid chief among them, are expected to keep close tabs on Huijsen given the £50million release clause in his contract.
A switch to Los Blancos at such a young age could represent a dream move for Huijsen.
However, in an interview with The Sun, Juanito fears Huijsen would face drastically reduced minutes given who he would be stuck behind in the centre-back pecking order at the Bernabeu.
“Dean is going to be a leader no matter where he goes, so I hope whoever signs him they play him as a starter, and he’s not a project for the future,” Juanito said.
“He is a player for now. There are very few like that at his age, which is why I don’t know to what extent it would be a good option to sign for Real.
“No one can guarantee you’ll play because of your pretty face but if he leaves Bournemouth, it shouldn’t be to sit on the bench.
“At Madrid, Eder Militao is 27 and Antonio Rudiger is in his second youth.
“Those two are untouchable and a recovered David Alaba would also be ahead of him.
“Carlo Ancelotti is an incredible manager but not a coach for young players — so Dean would be fourth-choice centre-back. That’s the reality.”
With game time at Los Blancos unlikely in Juanito’s eyes, he believes the ‘best option’ for Huijsen is to spend another season under Andoni Iraola’s tutelage at Bournemouth.
Regardless, the 45-year-old believes Huijsen is destined for the top.
In fact, Juanito feels Huijsen could have a similarly transformative effect on a club to what Virgil van Dijk had on Liverpool.
Van Dijk’s arrival heralded the most successful period in Liverpool’s modern era as they won the Premier League, two League Cups, an FA Cup, a Champions League title and the Club World Cup.
Prior to the Dutchman joining in January 2018, Liverpool had not won a major trophy since 2012 and only one since 2007.
“From the start he was a marvel,” Juanito said.
“He’d listen to what you told him and absorb it incredibly well. He would recognise a mistake and the next day would improve.
“Dean just doesn’t feel any pressure and has unlimited self-confidence.
“If injuries are not a problem, then whoever signs him, he’ll be a cheap buy because he will be a dominant defender in world soccer for years to come.
“Wherever he goes, I could see him having the same impact Van Dijk has had on Liverpool’s history in recent seasons.
“The only team he is not going to change is Real Madrid.”
