Chelsea They have been in poor form in recent weeks, picking up just six points from a possible 21 in their last seven matches. This group included losses to the likes of Ipswich Town, Fulham and Manchester City, as well as draws against Everton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
These poor results coincided with the loss of two key central defenders in December, with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile both injured.
Levi Colwell had been set up by Fofana for most of this season leading up to the festive break, which saw the Blues sit second in the Premier League. English Premier League.
but Enzo Maresca The side has struggled after losing Fofana and Badacelli, who looked to be next in line to partner.
This could have the Blues managers on red alert, as this significant drop in form has derailed their season, and a defensive solution will be on their list, whether that is this month or in the summer.
Chelsea are looking at a Premier League defender
according to Reports from Fabrizio RomanoBournemouth chief Hoijsen is understood to have a release clause in his contract, which will take effect from the summer of 2025.
It has also emerged that Chelsea are said to 'really value' Huijsen, and he is high on their list of potential targets at the back.
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Bayern Munich have also requested to be reported on the 19-year-old, who could face plenty of competition for the Spanish central defender in the summer, following his excellent start in the Premier League with Bournemouth.
Huijsen has He has made 19 appearances since joining the Cherries this summerHe scored two goals, contributing to five clean sheets and a total of 1,330 minutes.
How does Huijsen compare to Fofana
Fofana has Made 12 appearances so far this season for the Bluesbefore declining with his latest hamstring injury, contributed three clean sheets totaling 1,017 minutes.
The Frenchman was often tasked with being aggressive on the opposition team's best player, looking to win duels and make things uncomfortable for them, knowing if he was beaten, he had the recovery pace to catch his man.
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Dean Huijsen vs Wesley Fofana comparison |
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|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) |
house |
head |
|
Pass try |
54.7 |
60.8 |
|
Completion passes |
46.5 |
54.9 |
|
Pass accuracy % |
85.1% |
90.25% |
|
Forward passes |
22.4 |
18.5 |
|
He treats |
1.7 |
1.2 |
|
Objections |
2.2 |
1.1 |
|
Blocks |
1.5 |
0.8 |
|
Won aerial duels |
2.7 |
2.1 |
|
Won ground duels |
4.7 |
5.2 |
|
Statistics taken from squawka |
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When comparing defender metrics from this season, you can see Huijsen actually outperforming Fofana from a defensive actions point of view, which is a big positive when you take into account the Frenchman's role of tagging the opposition's best striker.
The passing metrics favor Fofana, but you can assume a lot of that is down to the style of play, with Huijsen often being tasked with going direct, as shown by his forward passing numbers.
Huijsen is rated As “one of the most talented teenage networks in Europe” By Scout Jacek Kulig and also described as 'The Monster in the Air' by Sky Sports' Joe Tomlinsonshowing maturity beyond his years this season for Bournemouth.
Furthermore, the 6-foot-5 central defender had the frame to compete in a variety of duels, while he had the composure and football intelligence beyond his years to read the game and get to the right place at the right time.
The 19-year-old already has all the foundations of a great positional full-back, given time to develop, and writing his upper body a bit to help him in 1V1 against physical strikers, and is sure to improve further, which could make him the perfect partner for Colwill going forward, a partnership They can grow together and complement each other in a tenure-based system.
