Maresca may already have Huijsen 2.0 in “special” 19-year-old Chelsea ace

Whilst Chelsea are still locked in a tough battle to maintain a top-four spot in the Premier League, the Blues’ attention will have slightly diverted to what luxurious deals they can sign off on when the summer transfer window rolls around.

Indeed, rumours are already beginning to circulate as to who Chelsea will add to their mammoth squad this time, with Ipswich Town star Liam Delap one face being looked at intently by Todd Boehly and Co.

Breakout AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is also reportedly on the extensive Stamford Bridge shopping list, with the ex-Juventus ace an in-demand figure off the back of his standout showings on the South Coast this campaign.

Why Chelsea are pursuing Huijsen

At just 19 years of age, it’s abundantly clear that Huijsen – who the Blues have already held talks with – has a bright future in the game.

Chelsea certainly think so, alongside a whole barrage of fellow Premier League outfits, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all circling around for the senior Spain international’s services alongside Maresca’s men.

Huijsen has been a mainstay of the Cherries’ defence when fit, with the confident number two helping himself to five clean sheets from 20 Premier League starts for Andoni Iraola’s side.

The glittering numbers don’t stop there, with Huijsen the very definition of a well-rounded centre-back having picked up two goals and an assist for his troubles, alongside further winning four duels on average per top-flight game.

Still, it could be that Chelsea are slightly hesitant to go all in for the rising Cherries star, considering this is his first big season in the spotlight in England, rendering his £50m price tag as somewhat steep.

This slight hesitancy could grow even more when you look at one youngster in West London who has the potential to become Maresca’s own Huijsen down the line.

Chelsea already have their answer to Huijsen

Whilst the Blues do boast the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo for silly bucks, the next generation of stars rising up the Stamford Bridge ranks do look promising.

The recent 3-0 victory over Legia Warsawa in the Europa Conference League proved just that, with one of Cobham’s own in 19-year-old Tyrique George getting in on the goalscoring act, away from Noni Madueke’s devastating double.

Another top starlet that falls into the same bracket as George is Argentine sensation Aaron Anselmino, with the 19-year-old already receiving gushing praise from the likes of football analyst Ben Mattinson for being a “special” defender.

Chelsea ended up forking out £15.6m to land the teenager last summer, with the promising South American centre-back’s development not hindered whatsoever in the process, having been sent straight back to boyhood employers Boca Juniors before officially beginning his Blues adventure this January when the loan deal was ended.

Looking at the table above, Anselmino’s game in his native country wasn’t too dissimilar from Huijsen’s in England, with the 19-year-old equally confident with the ball as his feet, leading to a stunning four assists being tallied up from just 12 league contests.

But, there is also a grit and an energy present when recovering the ball and winning duels, meaning Anselmino could be capable of performing in the high intensity of the Premier League very soon.

Time will only tell if the 6 foot 2 star can live up to his hype, but if everything slots into place nicely, he very much could be a cost-effective alternative to the Bournemouth target.

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