Real Madrid summer arrival set to be a cornerstone in Xabi Alonso’s project

Real Madrid’s summer signing Dean Huijsen has wasted no time in proving his worth at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

In fact, according to MARCA, the young defender has already become a cornerstone of Xabi Alonso’s project, showing qualities that make him an essential part of the new Real Madrid setup.

In the club’s La Liga opener against Osasuna, Real Madrid looked far sharper off the ball than on it. The team pressed high, won duels, and showed a hunger to dominate possession through recovery rather than cautious passing. 

At the heart of that defensive intensity was Huijsen, who impressed in a way few expected on his debut.

Many fans were eager to watch Franco Mastantuono, another new signing, but it was Huijsen who stole the show. 

Record-breaking debut

One of the standout features of Huijsen’s performance was his passing range. Against Osasuna, he delivered statistics that placed him in the company of club legends like Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos. 

Dean Huijsen will play an important role under Xabi Alonso.

Huijsen became only the second Real Madrid defender ever to attempt 15 or more long passes in a La Liga game with an accuracy above 85%.

Not only did he reach that mark, but he also surpassed it, achieving an incredible 94% accuracy. That broke the previous record set by Ramos in 2018, when the former captain managed 88%. 

While some may see this as a niche statistic, it highlights just how valuable Huijsen’s consistency and vision could be for Xabi Alonso’s tactics.

Alonso’s Real Madrid favours quick switches of play, stretching opponents and creating space for attacking stars like Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe. 

Having a defender with the ability to launch pinpoint long balls ensures that transitions are smooth and unpredictable. In Huijsen, Los Blancos finally have a player who can replicate what Ramos offered during his prime years at the club.