Chelsea Need to Move Quickly: Dean Huijsen Is The Solution to Ending Their Crisis at the Back

The approach of the transfer window presents Chelsea with a special opportunity to capture a future star that can fill its most serious problem—defensive solidity. Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who left an indelible mark during his debut Premier League campaign, has now come onto Chelsea’s radar. With a relatively affordable £50 million release clause, Huijsen offers Chelsea a special opportunity to acquire a quality centre-half who would slot easily into Chelsea’s developing side.

Chelsea Defense Conundrum: An On-Going Issue

A weakness still exists at Chelsea, even after recent improvement by manager Enzo Maresca. Last season, Chelsea allowed 63 goals, a Premier League record low for a Chelsea side. Although this season, Chelsea has certainly stiffened, allowing 40 goals in 2025, what has been changing isn't so much standout individual performances, but a consistency of effort from a group as a whole. Midfield sparkplug Moisés Caicedo takes a lot of the credit, but still, consistency and leadership are missing from Chelsea's backline to accomplish lasting success.
Key men like Wesley Fofana are still plagued by injury, while others—Tosin Adarabioyo, for example, and Benoît Badiashile—are not trusted by Maresca, or do not provide a consistency of solutions over time. The inconsistency has left the manager having to try pairings in central defence, meaning there has been a lack of cohesion and stability.
The necessity of a solid, top-grade centre-back now cannot be questioned, and Dean Huijsen may be that solution.

Rising Stock: Huijsen, a defensive star in the making

Huijsen, only 20 years old, has achieved nothing but astonishing success in his first season in the Premier League with Bournemouth, making him a standout among Europe’s most exciting young defenders. Huijsen has proved he can play in possession-based schemes, something Chelsea urgently needs. His skill set features strong resistance to pressing, excellent passing, and a level of courage to pass the ball in advance, something much prized by Maresca, a ball-playing center-back preferred by Huijsen.
Huijsen, though, is more than a baller. His 6'6" height gives, him a commanding advantage in aerials and ground duels, making him a top interceptor, clearer, and blocked shot dissector in his Premier League peers group of defenders. His outstanding statistics have him as Europe’s top-five leagues highest-rated centre back to be below 21, as recorded by WhoScored.
Not only are Huijsen a present player, but he is also part of Chelsea’s long-term vision of signing young, high-profile players. Whether he plays along beside Fofana, or takes his place later on, Huijsen is a player capable of developing along with Chelsea and establishing himself as a prominent figure at Stamford Bridge in years to come.

Transfer Showdown Looms: Chelsea Won't Have a Moment to Breathe


 Even though Chelsea are currently in favor of securing Huijsen’s signing, there are strong competitors in pursuit of the skilled defender, given that both Liverpool and Real Madrid are also interested in signing the Spain international centre-back. Therefore, Chelsea needs to act fast, taking a firm stance to avoid falling behind, as his relatively low release fee makes Huijsen a pure steal for a player of such quality.
If Chelsea are serious about fixing their defense and constructing a side capable of competing at the highest level, signing Huijsen needs to be a priority this summer. It would be a chance that cannot be missed, and with a transfer war set to break out, Chelsea need to make sure they do not lose this potential star from their grasp. Ultimately, Huijsens is more than a player for the future—he’s precisely what Chelsea currently needs: a solid all-around defender, lots of potential, and the sort of quality that might at last shore up the Blues' backline defense. If they manage to get ahead of their competitors in securing his signing, we could be looking at one of their better transfer moves in years.