I silenced Alexander Isak - eight months after missing out on Newcastle United move
Newcastle United missed the chance to sign Dean Huijsen less than six months before his Bournemouth masterclass.
The baby-faced defender stopped Alexander Isak in his tracks at St James’ Park, bringing the Swede's eight-game scoring streak to an end. A performance that showed experience beyond his 19 years to thwart Newcastle in their Champions League-chasing tracks.
While Justin Kluivert dominated the post-match headlines for his stunning hat-trick, Huijsen’s performance went under the radar. Alan Shearer did, however, name the Spanish-Dutch defender in his Premier League team of the work.
But how different the result could have been if Newcastle won the race for Huijsen last summer? One of the most highly-rated prospects in Europe, Huijsen graduated from Juventus’ youth ranks but found first-team football difficult.
A loan spell at Roma working under Jose Mourinho last season gave the centre-back a taste of the professional arena. His 14 appearances were enough evidence for Premier League clubs - including Newcastle - to express interest.
At the time, the Magpies were chasing a centre-back and famously missed out on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Eddie Howe’s men were looking for someone who could slot straight into first-team action and a possible long-term successor to Fabian Schar.
Perhaps age was a factor, with just 15 appearances at a professional level hardly conducive to being thrown into a European push. But the £15million the Cherries stumped up now looks like a snip - with Huijsen establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s rising stars.
Were Newcastle wrong not to gamble? His age, style of play and ceiling for improvement certainly made him tailor-made for Eddie Howe’s regime.