This is the classic scenario. Returning to the Premier League in 2022, Bournemouth distinguished itself by having a great 2024/2025 season punctuated by a ninth place in the standings and a status as the sixth best defense in the league (46 goals conceded). Enough to highlight several of its defensive elements such as Dean Huijsen (20 years old), Illia Zabarnyi (22 years old) and Milos Kerkez (21 years old). A hell of a boon for the Cherries. In total, they managed to ride their good season to collect around €172 million thanks to the sale of these three.
According to figures published on the Transfermarkt website, Zabarnyi was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for €63 million, the biggest sale of the summer, Huijsen went to Real Madrid in exchange for €62.5 million and Liverpool acquired Kerkez for almost €47 million. Significant departures which were obviously very well digested by Bournemouth. The Dorset club is in third place in the Premier League table, three points behind Manchester City and four behind Arsenal. On the other hand, its three former residents are today going through more or less complicated times.
Little reframing for Huijsen
Concerning Dean Huijsen, this is undoubtedly the least problematic case. Arriving in the Spanish capital just before the Club World Cup, the Amsterdam native was immediately promoted to starting position in the United States. Casa Blanca fell in the semi-final against PSG (0-4), but Huijsen returned to Spain with praise. His five matches in the tournament were enough to label him as leader of Madrid's defense, while Raul Asencio literally sank. Praised for his technique and his quality of recovery, Huijsen still leaves today with a lead over his teammates in defense. However, he has made more and more mistakes lately.
Between his poor performance against Atlético de Madrid (2-5) or his expulsion against Real Sociedad, Huijsen was entitled to a little ear pulling. The Athletic states in fact that Casa Blanca expressly asked him “to improve one's concentration in order to develop one's great potential. » Nothing serious, but Huijsen must not give in to the sin of confidence after his remarkable debut. A situation in which Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez would like to find themselves. Concerning the Ukrainian, he arrived in Paris with the label of successor to Marquinhos and raised a lot of expectations. Unknown to the general public before the Parisian interest, the native of kyiv was announced as one of the rising stars in his position. But for now, the iconic 31-year-old PSG captain can sleep soundly.
Zabarnyi and Kerkez in the tough
In ten matches (1 goal) played with the French champions, Zabarnyi still cannot give the impression of a serene defender and against livelier opponents, he often seems to be too heavy in his movements. In his defense, the traditional excuse of adaptation still applies to him. It's impossible to make a definitive judgment on his value, but the Ukrainian has just put together two difficult performances. The first against Strasbourg where the return of Willian Pacho was a lifeline for him and especially this Tuesday evening against Bayer Leverkusen. While his partners celebrated the big 7-2 success, “Zaba” was not celebrating after causing two penalties and collecting a direct red card. Finally, it's not better for Milos Kerkez.
Supposed to represent the next generation at left back in Liverpool, the Hungarian has been a starter for Arne Slot since the start of the season. Except that he keeps taking things for his rank. On September 14, he was replaced by Andy Robertson in the 38th minute against Burnley, before being publicly criticized by his coach. “I replaced him because he received a yellow card. I think the fans here thought they had a chance of winning the game if we picked up a second yellow card. With Milos, I can never be 100% sure that he won't commit the next foul, and that the fans will then put pressure on the referee (to exclude him). He plays every duel as if his life depended on it. I think the only way to lose today was to be reduced to ten“. A month later, he was destroyed again in public after his poor performance against Manchester United. “I think the individual performances of the Liverpool defenders were really poor. The left back (Milos Kerkez) hasn't found his feet yet… he plays like a 10 year old left back, he's everywhere and nowhere at the same time.”declared Gary Neville. A match that could have consequences, because tonight, Liverpool faces Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League and there is a strong chance that Robertson will be preferred.
