In a candid interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, former Juventus defender Dean Huijsen has shed light on his departure from the Italian club, expressing his disappointment with how the situation was handled.
Huijsen, who spent three years at Juventus from the U17 level, had hoped for a chance with the first team. However, his aspirations were cut short when he returned from a loan spell at Roma. “Did Juventus treat me badly? Perhaps,” Huijsen reflected. He explained that upon his return from the loan, he understood the club’s potential need to sell him or make decisions beneficial to the organization. What caught him off guard was the abruptness of the situation.
“I arrived on the first day after the summer holidays, and they told me I had to leave, but that they wouldn’t force me,” Huijsen recounted. However, the young defender soon found himself in a difficult position. “And then yes, they forced me, made me train alone and things like that. It was a bit ugly, especially because I had been there for three years, since U17, and I just wanted to have a chance with Juventus’ first team.”
The experience left Huijsen feeling conflicted. “The truth is that football is sometimes difficult. Was I a bit sad, angry? But the situation doesn’t change, and that’s what it takes. If they felt I was a good selling opportunity, then I accepted it,” he said, showing maturity beyond his years in dealing with the harsh realities of professional football.