Huijsen finds his best form at Real Madrid under Mourinho

Ten days were enough back in January 2024 for Jose Mourinho to take notice of a young loanee at Roma who had barely made his professional debut. Two seasons later, the pair have crossed paths again at Real Madrid, and that brief connection seems to be paying off: Dean Huijsen is enjoying his best spell since joining the club, right as the Portuguese coach has taken charge of the first team.

• Huijsen and Mourinho briefly worked together at Roma between January 6 and 16, 2024.
• The centre-back joined Real Madrid from Bournemouth for €58 million.
• His debut season in Madrid faded as it went on, and he missed out on Spain's World Cup squad.
• Mourinho picked him alongside Konaté for the league opener against Espanyol.
• Huijsen delivered a strong performance in Cornellà, echoing his best form from his Bournemouth days.

The brief spell at Roma that left a mark on Mourinho

When Huijsen arrived on loan at Roma midway through the 2023/24 season, Mourinho's time in charge of the Italian club was already nearing its end. Even so, the Portuguese coach handed him minutes in three consecutive matches: against Atalanta, in the Coppa Italia clash with Lazio, and versus Milan. A draw and two defeats sealed Mourinho's dismissal, but that short stretch left an impression he never forgot.

At the time, Huijsen was little more than a prospect with only a handful of Serie A minutes to his name at Juventus. Yet Mourinho already sensed something different in him and said so publicly, predicting he would grow into one of the finest centre-backs in European football.

A rocky first season in Madrid

Huijsen's arrival at Real Madrid didn't unfold as expected. After a promising start, his performances gradually dipped, to the point where he was left out of Spain's squad for the World Cup held in Mexico, Canada and the United States. As with other recent big-money signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras, the hefty transfer fee wasn't immediately matched by universal support.

The €58 million paid to Bournemouth placed Huijsen among the most expensive centre-backs in world football, a tag that weighs heavily when results don't follow straight away. That was the backdrop as he began his second season at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Mourinho's boost during preseason

Mourinho's arrival at Real Madrid changed the outlook for Huijsen. The Portuguese coach, who had already shown faith in him two years earlier, took notice of the defender from the very first preseason sessions. Match by match, Huijsen grew in confidence, culminating in his best preseason display in the friendly against Schalke.

With Éder Militao sidelined through injury and only three fit centre-backs available, Mourinho faced a decision for the league opener against Espanyol. He went with Huijsen and Ibrahima Konaté as his starting pair, leaving Antonio Rüdiger on the bench.

Huijsen's response in the league opener

Mourinho's gamble paid off immediately. In Cornellà, Huijsen once again showed the composure on the ball and physical presence in duels that had defined his time at Bournemouth. He stayed sharp throughout the match, and alongside Konaté he helped anchor a defence that secured a hard-fought win, sealed in stoppage time by Carlos Espí (1-2).

What's at stake for Huijsen this season at Real Madrid

Beyond the opening weeks of the league, the challenge for Huijsen is to establish himself as an undisputed starter in a position where he competes with players of the calibre of Rüdiger, Militao and Raúl Asencio. Rebuilding the confidence lost last season is crucial not just for his future at the club, but also for reopening the door to Spain's national team.

The bond with Mourinho adds an extra layer to the story: the coach who once predicted greatness now has the chance to help fulfil it, with more responsibility, more minutes, and a demanding squad that leaves little room for missteps.