View: Tottenham defender Cristian Romero proves world-class status on Argentina duty
Tottenham star Cristian Romero has been in superb form this season and continued his momentum with another magnificent display, this time for Argentina.
Romero’s past few appearances for Spurs in the Premier League have arguably been some of his best in the colours of Lilywhite since he arrived in the Premier League two summers ago.
He and Micky van de Ven have formed a great partnership and the 25-year-old has finally been able to showcase his true quality while playing alongside another top defender. In the past, Romero would so often have to do the job of two players while covering for his defensive teammates who just weren’t up to his level.
This would at times harm his own individual performances, although now it seems as if he is in the form of his career, and he underlined that fact with another big performance for his country.
Although he has had his critics in the past, and will no doubt still have a few kicking around, his man-of-the-match display against Ecuador on Friday 8 September would have certainly silenced a few of them, at least temporarily.
Argentina won the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador 1-0, with yet another Lionel Messi free-kick grabbing the headlines. Nonetheless, it was Romero who was equally as crucial for his country, with his defensive work vital to the clean sheet they kept.
In addition to his one clearance, he made seven tackles, with one of those being a last-man tackle. He also won seven of his eight ground duels, four of his seven aerial duels and gave away possession just four times, while blocking one shot (Sofascore).
What would have impressed his boss watching back home the most was his 99 per cent passing accuracy. Ange Postecoglou demands that his defenders are able to pass under pressure and build up play, and Romero certainly did that, completing 67 of his 68 passes among his 87 touches.
While the numbers speak for themselves, the words of someone else speak even louder. At full-time, Romero’s international teammate and arguably the greatest player to ever live, Messi, was full of praise for the Tottenham defender.
“For me, he is the best defender in the world right now,” the 36-year-old said, in quotes reported by Football London (8 September). “Amazing performance tonight, man of the match.”
It is praise of the highest order and will certainly give Romero a large boost of confidence when he heads back to Hotspur Way.
In other Tottenham news, John Wenham is hopeful of an “emphatic” win against Sheffield United.