Exclusive: Dean Huijsen is 'READY' for Liverpool transfer

Dean Huijsen is one of the most exciting young centre-backs in European football at the moment, Anfield Watch spoke to his former coach, Mischa Visser to find out more about him.

At the U17 European Championships in 2022, Visser's side were at a stalemate against Poland in their second-group game of the tournament.

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It was in the 51st minute, when second-half substitute Ezechiel Banzuzi was scythed down in the box by a Polish defender. Referee, Helgi Mikael Jónasson pointed to the spot.

For a moment, the young Dutch team looked around amongst themselves and turned their eyes on the hulking figure standing at the back.

This was Dean Huijsen's moment. The moment he had been waiting for.

With a step in his stride, Huijsen galloped forward to grab the ball and take the penalty.

The tension was palpable. This was Huijsen's time to prove himself right.

Before the tournament, he had told Visser he never missed penalties. That's why he was appointed as the Netherlands' designated penalty taker.

Now there he was, standing on the spot and he didn't disappoint. His right footed effort nestled perfectly into the corner of the net, sending the Polish keeper the wrong way, with Huijsen wheeling off to celebrate.

“Dean made his international debut with us at the U17 team," Visser recalls.

"It quickly became clear that he possessed exceptional qualities. He was very comfortable on the ball, capable of passing well with both his right and left foot."

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At the U17 Euros in Israel, Huijsen went onto score another penalty goal against France before scoring in the penalty shoot-out against Serbia in the semi-final to help his side to victory. To this date, he's only ever missed one penalty he has taken in his career from a total of nine attempts.

In the end, Huijsen and his team were defeated by France in the final of the U17 Euros but Visser still holds fond memories of the tournament.

"Dean and I had a great working relationship - that championship stands out to me in particular. Dean was a key player of that team," he says.

In the years since, Huijsen has gone from Juventus to AS Roma and Bournemouth. He's turned from a Dutch international to a Spanish one, and he's continued to grow and develop.

His most unique trademark is one that is very vital to being a successful defender in the possession based football deployed in the modern game. And one also very rare for a player standing at 1.97 metres.

"What I particularly value is his ability to outplay opponents through his passing or dribbling. He consistently makes the right decisions and executes them with strong technical ability," Visser says.

Visser believes Huijsen's foundations in Italy, working under the likes of Jose Mourinho and coming up against some of the best strikers in the world, was also instrumental in making him a brilliant defender:

"The move to Italy has significantly benefited his defensive development. There, he had the opportunity to learn from world-class players."

The confidence with which he stepped up to take the penalty against Poland is also the confidence with which Huijsen plays. He's not fazed by any moment or occasion, and that's a characteristic of the best players in the world.

"He is a stoic and ambitious young man, confident without ever coming across as arrogant. He adapts easily to higher levels," Visser says.

"I saw him play just six months ago with the U21s in Spain, and he held his own with ease - also with the Spanish national team. Dean adjusts remarkably well to higher levels."

Now being linked with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid, Visser believes Huijsen is ready to make the next step in his career.

"I don’t believe it matters much whether he plays on the right or left side of central defence. I’m convinced he’s ready to take the next step, especially given how he has consistently shown the ability to adapt effortlessly," he says.

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Here at Anfield Watch we really hope that the next step will be at Liverpool. For now, we can just keep our fingers crossed.