Dean Huijsen faces the prospect of starting on the bench for Real Madrid in the upcoming El Clásico, after Spanish journalist Santiago Segurola raised doubts regarding José Mourinho’s trust in his defensive capabilities.
Segurola’s comments came during an appearance on Onda Cero, where he discussed the Portuguese manager’s tactical options ahead of the clash with Barcelona, at a time when the Madrid club is also preparing for a European fixture preceding the domestic blockbuster.
“Mourinho doesn’t fully trust him defensively,” Segurola stated, suggesting that Huijsen could be dropped from the starting lineup for El Clásico, despite playing the full 90 minutes in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Sevilla.
“I expect Rüdiger and Konaté to start El Clásico,” he added, placing Antonio Rüdiger and Ibrahima Konaté at the top of the central defense hierarchy based on his reading of Mourinho’s preference for greater experience in big matches.
The journalist expects Huijsen to features against RB Leipzig, leaving Rüdiger to take over against Barcelona, while taking into account the difficulty for the German defender to start two consecutive matches in quick succession. This scenario remains Segurola’s projection regarding the manager’s tactical choices.
Huijsen has made eight appearances for Real Madrid this season, totaling 682 minutes according to the club’s official website, including seven starts in La Liga (592 minutes). While yet to register a goal or an assist, he has recorded 26 ball recoveries in the league.
The 21-year-old Spanish defender joined Real Madrid in 2025 from Bournemouth following previous spells at Juventus and Roma. Standing at 1.96 meters, he offers a combination of physical presence and ball-playing ability from the back.
Despite anticipating a substitute role for him, Segurola praised Huijsen’s buildup play, pointing to his movement and passing out from the left side against Sevilla. The dilemma ahead of El Clásico on Sunday, October 25, ultimately rests between this offensive contribution and the defensive solidity that the journalist considers Mourinho’s top priority.
