Latest developments
- Chelsea are tracking Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.
- The 19-year-old only moved to the Premier League from Juventus in the summer.
- The Spaniard has become a regular starter for the Cherries.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): News from Chelsea reporter
Chelsea are keeping tabs on one of the breakout stars of this Premier League season – Bournemouth's 19-year-old centre-back, Dean Huijsen.
caughtoffside.com claim the Blues are going to enquire about the Spain under-21 international, and that comes from Chelsea reporter, Simon Phillips, adding plenty of credibility to the rumour.
Value (2.5/5): Bournemouth will demand hefty fee
After a successful loan at Roma, it was a surprise that Juventus sold the Amsterdam-born Spaniard for £12.6 million in the summer.
He has since benefited from Marcos Senesi's injury to become a regular starter, slotting seamlessly into Andoni Iraola's team and scoring twice in the Premier League. Under contract until 2030, it would take much more than his current value of £14.9 million for the Cherries to sell to a divisional rival.
Suitability (4/5): Room to grow
Flourishing so soon after moving to England, Huijsen's potential is staggeringly high and clubs of Chelsea's stature don't look to be beyond him.
Enzo Maresca and Iraola both play a back four, so the teenager should feel just at home in the Stamford Bridge system.
Upgrade? (4/5): Lots of average defenders
Chelsea currently have plenty of depth at centre-back, but perhaps not as much strength as other sides at the top end of the table.
The long-term futures at the club of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are in doubt, while new signings such as Tosin Adarabioyo have not hit the ground running, leaving Huijsen the chance to come in and dominate for years to come.
Logic (2.5/5): Too much too soon?
Huijsen will believe he can reach the top, but a January move and even a summer move could be too soon as he continues to develop nicely at the Vitality Stadium for a club that is making excellent progress.
Chelsea may well agree, but with other suitors likely to be gathering, they cannot afford to wait too long.
Whisper+ verdict: 16/25
Don't expect Huijsen to be wearing a Chelsea shirt any time soon, but a move to the Bridge one day looks possible, or perhaps a deal in 2025 before being loaned back to Bournemouth?
