Huijsen "Blown Away" by Real Madrid Experience: A Dream Start for the Young Defender

Following two impressive starts for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, young defender Dean Huijsen is brimming with confidence, a stark contrast to his initial expectations. The promising talent has quickly integrated into the squad, crediting his teammates for their support in building his self-belief on the pitch. While he anticipated a challenging path within the Madrid setup, Huijsen now finds himself incredibly happy with his early progress.

The scale of Real Madrid has clearly left the young defender in awe. In a candid revelation to his parents about his first weeks with the club, Huijsen confessed, "It's far superior to what I expected, infinitely better… the teammates, the coach, the fans follow us everywhere, the hotels we're staying in… it's all incredible." He is genuinely astounded by the sheer grandeur of the club, both on and off the field, a magnitude he simply hadn't anticipated.

Xabi Alonso's Confidence and the Road Ahead

After observing Huijsen in training and during matches, coach Xabi Alonso reportedly has no doubt that Huijsen will be a regular starter whenever he is fit and available. Alonso views him as a special defender, crucial for a top club that aims to build play from the back and dictate the game's tempo. In this aspect, Huijsen will benefit immensely from playing alongside experienced ball-playing defenders like Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba (assuming "Arnold" was a typo and referred to Alaba), and potentially, the soon-to-be-signed Álvaro Carreras, who also possesses excellent quality in playing out from defense.

Huijsen has certainly begun his Real Madrid journey in the best possible way. However, the true test now lies in maintaining consistency. Playing numerous consecutive matches at a high level for the world's best club is no easy feat. Yet, the young player appears ready to face this challenge with seriousness and unwavering motivation. His promising start suggests he has the mentality to thrive under the immense pressure and expectations that come with donning the white jersey.