'He's always there' – Dean Huijsen names Premier League star as his toughest ever opponent

03/26/2025 07:03 PM

Dean Huijsen has picked out Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah as the toughest player he has ever come up against in his career.

The 19-year-old has cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in European football since joining Bournemouth from Juventus last summer.

The Cherries have surpassed expectations across a strong season under Andoni Iraola and Huijsen’s assured displays at the back have been instrumental to the club’s success, with the centre-back making 23 appearances in the Premier League.

Huijsen’s performances have reportedly made the youngster a top target for some of the biggest clubs on the planet, including Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Last weekend, the teenager’s stock rose further still as he made his international debut in Spain’s Nations League clash with the Netherlands – the country of his birth.

While Huijsen does not turn 20 for another fortnight, he has already been tested against some of the most revered attacking players on the planet, whether that be in Italy – with Juventus and Roma – or this season at Bournemouth.

But Huijsen ranks Salah at the top of the list at this early stage of his career, with the Egyptian scoring both goals in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Dean Court last month.

Salah – the overwhelming favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year – also provided the assist for Darwin Nunez as the Reds ran out 3-0 winners over Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this season.

Asked to name the toughest player he has come up against, Huijsen told the Talkin’ Balls*** podcast: ‘I think Salah because he has the ability to create stuff but he also has the ability to be in the right spot all the time to get an assist, to get a goal.

‘Even against us, he scored two goals but out of nowhere. It was a dribble and he’s just curled it into the top corner.

‘Plus a penalty, obviously, and penalty you have to score it still.

‘But the second goal, he’s just dribbled and put it into the top corner and it’s just so easy.

‘Even if he doesn’t manage to play a great game on the eye, he will still provide. He’s always there.’

Huijsen went on to reveal his admiration for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who he believes is ‘100 per cent’ the best centre-back in world football.

‘Obviously I wasn’t one-vs-one playing against him, but just seeing him on the pitch… he’s so impressive,’ he explained.

‘He has an aura. He just stands there and he’s so tall, so strong.

‘He’s a great player to be honest.’

However, Real Madrid and Spain legend Sergio Ramos was Huijsen’s ‘idol’ in his younger days watching football.

‘My idol was always Ramos when I was growing up,’ he continued.

‘I think he had everything, from goals to leader to on the ball, defensively, character, everything.

‘I used to watch him a lot when I was like 12 or 13.’

Real Madrid are believed to be at the front of the ever-growing queue to sign Huijsen when the summer transfer window opens for business.

Huijsen has a £50million release clause in his contract at Bournemouth and Madrid are reportedly open to including one of their own in a player-plus-cash deal to get a deal over the line for the young Spain international.

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