Alessio Tacchinardi has a few choice words for Juventus, and they’re all about Dean Huijsen’s move to AFC Bournemouth last July. If you’re unfamiliar, Tacchinardi isn’t just any critic; he’s a former player who spent 13 memorable years at Juventus from 1994 to 2007, so he knows a thing or two about what it means to wear that iconic black and white shirt.
As Juventus gears up to face Real Madrid in the Champions League later today, Tacchinardi’s recent interview with AS has sparked some buzz. You can almost hear the nostalgia in his voice when he reflects on Huijsen, the talented young defender who caught the eye of many.
Huijsen first joined Juventus back in 2019, coming over from Málaga CF to bolster their academy. Though he only made one senior appearance for the team, it was clear to those watching that he had something special. Then, in January 2024, the tides turned when Juventus loaned him to AS Roma. Interestingly, Tiago Pinto, Roma’s sporting director at the time, played a big part in that arrangement; but just a month later, Pinto hopped over to Bournemouth, paving the way for Huijsen to make his Premier League debut.
Fast forward to now, and the 20-year-old defender has made quite the impression at Bournemouth, racking up 36 matches in his debut season. His performances didn’t just catch the attention of fans but also of big clubs, and it was Real Madrid who eventually swooped in, signing him for a jaw-dropping £50 million in May.
When asked about Juventus’ decision to sell Huijsen, Tacchinardi didn’t hold back. “It was a big mistake, and we’re only now seeing it,” he said frankly. You can sense his frustration as he recounts watching the young star play for Juve’s U-23 squad. “My house is right next to the pitch, so I’ve seen him a lot. His potential is tremendous; he could be a phenomenon as a centre-back. But he needs to hone his defensive skills to really shine. It was such a shame that he left.”
It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes, clubs don’t realize what they have until it’s gone. Meanwhile, Bournemouth isn’t just sitting back; they’ve already cashed in on that “big mistake” by Juventus with Huijsen’s sale to Madrid, adding even more weight to Tacchinardi’s words.
As the excitement builds for the Juventus match against Real Madrid, you can’t help but wonder how different things might have been had Huijsen remained with the Old Lady. Football is a game full of twists and turns, and sometimes the decisions that seem small at first can turn into defining moments down the line.
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