Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly keen on Roma defender Dean Huijsen and the Serie A starlet has the potential to become ‘one of the best players in the world’.
That is according to Roma legend-turned-captain-turned-coach Daniele de Rossi, having watched on in awe as Dean Huijsen stride forward from the back, to the edge of the Frosinone box, and curled a stunning finish into the top corner last weekend.
The 6ft 5ins Juventus loanee is clearly more than ‘just’ a centre-half. As comfortable starting attacks as he is stopping them with those marauding runs into midfield.
Reports of Manchester United’s interest, meanwhile, come as no real surprise, per Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Red Devils have been linked with almost all of Europe’s most exciting young defensive talents of late, Huijsen the latest to be mentioned after Goncalo Inacio, Giorgio Scalvini, Jarrad Branthwaite, Antonio Silva, Marc Guehi, and Lille teenager Leny Yoro.
Manhester United linked with Roma’s Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen, De Rossi says, can develop into not only one of the best centre-halves on planet earth but one of the best players, full stop.
“Huijsen is becoming more and more mature. He does a lot. He’s very smart,” the 2006 World Cup winner tells ESPN, all the while insisting that the one-time Malaga wonderkid can stand to learn the dark arts of ‘Catenaccio’.
“He doesn’t look 18-years-old on the field. He knows what he is doing. But sometimes a little too well. (Huijsen) is good with the ball at his feet, but sometimes a little too calm.
“I think he needs to learn some more ‘Italian tricks’ in his own box. If he does that, he will become one of the best players in the world.”
Jose Mourinho is a big fan
Signing Huijsen, who is valued by Juventus at around £25 million, was one of Jose Mourinho’s final acts as Roma boss.
The former Manchester United boss is in agreement with his Giallorossi successor too, labelling Huijsen a player with the potential to become a modern-day ‘great’.
