Dean Huijsen: Xabi Alonso's new 'centre-halfback' revelation

Huijsen plays with the maturity of a veteran. Calm under pressure, the 20-year-old belies his age with a presence that immediately marked him out as a key figure in this Real Madrid side.

Those familiar with his style knew he would fit in from day one — and his relationship with Alonso has only strengthened that sense.

In many ways, the Malaga-born defender and the Basque manager share a footballing language. Their understanding flows through the pass — that elegant, purposeful exchange that Xabi Alonso once mastered himself in midfield.

One of the most iconic images of Real Madrid's Club World Cup campaign is Alonso, during a cooling break, walking directly over to Huijsen to deliver detailed tactical instructions.

Because Huijsen, in just a couple of games, has confirmed what was already suspected: he's a total centre-halfback — a hybrid defender with the brain and boots of a deep-lying playmaker.

His control of the build-up, his incisive vertical passing, and his calm orchestration from deep have made him an essential part of Alonso’s setup.

Thanks to BeSoccer Pro's analytical breakdown, we can quantify the impact of the former Bournemouth player — performances that stand out even more clearly when dissected statistically. Across his two Club World Cup appearances, the No.24 led Real Madrid in nearly every passing metric:

- Passes attempted: 141 (vs Fran Garcia's 118)

- Completed: 124 (vs Garcia's 105)

- Long passes: 17 (vs Courtois' 12)

- Successful long passes: 8 (vs Courtois' 7)

- Into final third: 20 (vs Valverde's 13)

- Successful into final third: 14 (vs Valverde's 11)

- Progressive passes: 23 (vs Garcia's 14)

- Successful progressive: 15 (vs Bellingham and Garcia's 9)

- Vertical passes: 60 (6 more than Tchouameni)

Dominant displays vs Al-Hilal and Pachuca

Huijsen dominated both of Madrid's matches, topping the charts for ball progressions — 10 against Al-Hilal and 13 against Pachuca. In the tournament-wide rankings, he sits 9th overall, a remarkable feat for a central defender.

A glance at Huijsen's pass maps reveals how he operates — stepping into opposition territory, switching play, and breaking lines with intelligent distribution. Against Al-Hilal, he had the freedom to push forward and express himself, often surprising the opponents with his movement and vision.

Against Pachuca, reduced to ten men after Asencio's early red card, his role became more restrained. He adjusted accordingly, focusing his play in safer zones and maintaining stability.

And so the reasons behind Real Madrid's investment — close to €60 million — are becoming increasingly clear. His heat maps reinforce the notion: this is not just a centre-back, but a centre-halfback — a modern footballer capable of bridging defence and midfield with fluidity and intelligence.

His debut against Al-Hilal showcased this role even more than his recent performances for Spain and Bournemouth. It was only circumstance — the early sending-off against Pachuca — that prevented him from doing the same again.