Meeting confirmed, Xabi Alonso has asked him for more: 'You have to be Madrid's leader'

Although the results show a colorful reality at Real Madrid, the truth is that there are some rather colorless aspects. There are 13 wins in 15 matches, but not everything that glitters is gold; especially in the defensive area. Xabi Alonso's team has shown a significant lack in some phases of the game that have required defensive reliability.

Recently, for instance, they've conceded 5 goals to Atlético de Madrid, something nobody could've imagined. Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are light years away from being the reference defenders they were expected to be. Injuries are greatly hampering their adventure at Real Madrid; at least, in the current chapter. Raúl Asencio isn't quite keeping up the strong performances he showed in his first appearances with the white squad.

All in all, everything comes down to Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao. The Brazilian is still being consistent in his outstanding individual performances. But something is happening with Dean Huijsen. 

Xabi Alonso has seen in him from the start the reference defender for Real Madrid, both now and in the coming seasons. For many matches, that's how he's emerged. The absolute leader of Real Madrid's structure. But when the big games arrive, Dean Huijsen regresses and makes mistakes that end up being detrimental to the team.

Dean Huijsen, always in the picture

This week, for example, he wasn't good at all in Real Madrid's visit to Anfield, which ended in defeat for the Merengues. He was far too erratic in playing out from the back and not at all effective in defensive duties. He posed no obstacle for the "reds" strikers and Hugo Ekitiké strolled around as if he owned the place. 

He hadn't been good either in the aforementioned Atlético de Madrid match in the recent Clásico despite Real Madrid's victory. Another example was in the Club World Cup, where he was even sent off. That's why, according to OK Diario, Xabi Alonso has given him a warning. The coaching staff have a lot of trust in him, but they believe that sometimes he is, in fact, overconfident.

Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen certainly has more than enough level to be a generational center-back at Real Madrid, but he must improve these things. Xabi Alonso loves him at his best and needs him to show it in the big games as well. Especially in the big games. So far, whenever he's been available, he's started and has only been substituted twice.

He has a lot of room for improvement, of course, but Xabi Alonso asks him not to get complacent and to keep his intensity at 100% at all times. That's surely what Dean Huijsen needs to establish himself as one of the best defenders today. For now, Xabi Alonso intends to keep trusting him.