Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has branded Dean Huijsen “a great player” with “a lot of potential”.
Los Blancos have completed the signing of the 20-year-old from Bournemouth, with the capital giants holding off competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in order to secure his signature in a deal worth £50m.
Huijsen will be available for the Club World Cup next month, meaning that the Spain international’s debut for Real Madrid come could against Al-Hilal in the competition on June 18.
Ancelotti will not manage Huijsen, as the Italian is leaving his role as Real Madrid boss at the end of this month, but the current Los Blancos head coach was asked about the incoming player during his press conference on Saturday.
“He is a great player, young, who has a lot of projection and a lot of potential. The signing is very good,” Ancelotti told reporters. “All the players that Madrid sign make me very excited, because Madrid always wants to be at the top.”
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Ancelotti calls Huijsen “a great player” with “a lot of potential”
Xabi Alonso is set to replace Ancelotti at the helm, and it is expected to be a busy summer transfer window for Real Madrid, with Trent Alexander-Arnold also preparing to arrive on a free transfer from Liverpool.
Real Madrid are also allegedly considering hijacking Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with incoming head coach Alonso said to be a huge admirer of the Spain international.
Los Blancos have been confirmed as runners-up in La Liga this season, while they fell short in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, but the team did manage to win the UEFA Super Cup at the start of the campaign.
Real Madrid will take on Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday night before finishing their campaign against Real Sociedad next weekend.
“It has always been difficult for us at the Pizjuan. The objective is to try to finish the season well. We did well against Mallorca and we have to do well tomorrow as well,” said Ancelotti during his press conference.
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Ancelotti: ‘Barcelona deserved to win the league’
Ancelotti also conceded that Barcelona “deserved” to be crowned La Liga champions this season.
“That’s part of football, sometimes you’re not able to get the best out of everyone. Barça have done very well, we have to congratulate them, because they have been more consistent in La Liga and they have played very nice football,” he said. “They deserved to win this league. Next year will be a different story.”
Ancelotti has already been confirmed as Brazil’s new head coach, and he will be bidding to lead the national side into the 2026 World Cup.
