It was a special match. Second to last in the Premier League, and at the Etihad Stadium; Rodri's return after a year and Kevin De Bruyne's farewell. Dean Huijsen was also there, Real Madrid's new signing.
Exposed in all three City goals
It was a good opportunity to analyze his play after signing his commitment with Real Madrid. Huijsen didn't have his day against Pep Guardiola's City. In fact, he was responsible for all three goals scored by the City team (Marmoush, Bernardo Silva, and Nico González).
Manchester City vs Bournemouth (3-1) | Resumen y goles | Highlights Premier League
Real Madrid bet heavily on Dean Huijsen as a future promise in the white defense. However, the young center-back's recent matches in the Premier League are leaving more shadows than lights.
His performance against Manchester City, where he was directly pointed out in all three Bournemouth goals, has raised alarms. Many are already starting to compare his performance with that of Pau Cubarsí, Barça's gem who dazzles in every match.
Overwhelmed and without resistance
In England, they haven't shown mercy. The British press openly talks about "disappointment" and questions whether Huijsen is really ready for the elite's level of demand.
The sequence is devastating: in the first goal, he steps aside and leaves the way clear for Marmoush's run. In the second, Gündogan breaks his waist. In the third, he is overwhelmed without resistance and doesn't even pretend to drop back to defend against Nico's advance.
What has surprised the most is not just the lack of forcefulness, but the complete lack of defensive attitude. The loaned player, who was expected to be an improved version of Barça's youth players, has fallen far short of what Cubarsí offers every week in LaLiga.
Meanwhile, the Barça center-back has been an undisputed starter and has almost always excelled, Huijsen still seems far from being ready for big occasions.
The comparison doesn't favor him. Cubarsí, at just 18 years old, has become a key piece of Barça's system and is a regular in Spain's national team. Huijsen, on the other hand, has yet to establish himself in a competitive context like the Premier League.
Social media grow impatient
On social media, Real Madrid fans are starting to show their concern: has the club inflated the value of a promise that wasn't so ready?
From Real Madrid's environment, they insist it's too early to judge, but the pressure has already begun. The level demanded of players arriving at Bernabéu doesn't forgive mistakes like those made against City. Even less so when on the other side of the air bridge there's a youth player like Cubarsí who dazzles every week with a maturity beyond his years.