Tottenham: 100% Cristian Romero shines despite defeat v West Ham as Alan Shearer delivers ‘fantastic’ verdict
Cristian Romero shone on his return to the Tottenham side despite the eventual 2-1 defeat against West Ham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 7 December.
Returning to the starting lineup after missing three games through suspension, the Argentine proved his worth to the defence and he gave a commanding display and was unlucky to be on the losing side.
Alan Shearer was full of praise for Romero after his early goal which he labelled “fantastic” as he put Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead in the 11th minute.
Speaking on commentary live for Amazon Prime Video [7 December, 05:10] “The corner was brilliant, I said he put a couple of good ones in before but they were inswingers, this time it’s the outswinger.
“A little bit easier to get your head on it I think, nevertheless it’s still a fantastic header. The way he guides it into the corner there Romero, [Lukasz] Fabianski has got no chance, look at it there right in the corner, great start from Tottenham.”
The defender has been roundly criticised for his lack of discipline at times, but this performance showed his true worth to Spurs when he is in the team, as he stepped up in a dominant performance and was unlucky to see his team on the losing side.
Romero was dominant in his duels, winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels and two of his three ground duels, while he made two clearances, two tackles, one block, one interception, and a key last-man tackle as he marshalled the defensive line excellently. [Sofascore]
His 94 per cent pass completion rate, with 101 of 108 reaching the desired target, is a display of how he has stepped up to perform in Postecoglou’s system, completing a key pass in the game as he took up more of an advanced position when Spurs were applying pressure.
The two West Ham goals were unstoppable from Romero’s point of view. A double deflection from a shot saw the ball spill straight to the feet of Jarrod Bowen before a mistake from Destiny Udogie allowed James Ward-Prowse to capitalise with the winning goal.
For his 100 per cent display, Romero was unable to prevent his side from losing, but his presence in the side marks a clear improvement at the back and he showed how his physical and front-footed defending, which can often land him in hot water, can be vital to the style of play.
In other Tottenham news, Daniel Levy could avoid a £29million loss as a result of recent displays.