Matthew Chadder

Wed 28 June 2023 20:30, UK

Ange Postecoglou doesn’t have many centre-backs he can rely on currently at Tottenham, but he does have one perfect one.

Spurs are in clear need of a defensive rebuild if Postecoglou is to have any chance at success in North London. 63 goals conceded last season – the sixth most in the division – makes for horrendous reading.

Postecoglou is likely to implement a back-four upon his arrival in the Premier League, which will mark a switch for the club from the back five they have become accustomed to in recent years.

This, as well as the poor form and quality of many of Spurs’ current centre-back options, means new defenders are needed and needed desperately.

However, the first name on the teamsheet within that back four is already at the club in the form of Cristian Romero.

The World Cup-winning central defender is head and shoulders above his club peers and the former Celtic boss should be looking to build his defence around the Argentinian.

Journalist Gaston Edul has reported on Twitter (28 June) that Juventus are interested in signing Romero, but the stats suggest Daniel Levy should not even pick up the phone to hear any such offers.

As per FBREF, Romero was in the top five per cent of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past calendar year when it comes to tackles made (2.49 per 90), the top 11 per cent for tackles won (1.37 per 90), and the top three per cent for tackles in the middle third (1.03 per 90).

That last stat, in particular, is especially important as Postecoglou prefers his defenders to be able to press high and aggressively – something that very few defenders are better at than Romero. The Australian also requires his defenders to be comfortable on the ball and step up into midfield.

Romero is certainly capable on the ball with his 61.99 passes attempted per 90 and 54.57 passes completed per 90 placing him in the top 25 per cent of his positional peers across Europe. His passing accuracy of 88 per cent is also impressive and sees him rank in the 77th percentile in regard to this particular statistic.

Romero’s 73.08 touches per 90 and 0.85 progressive carries per 90 also see him land in the top 25 per cent in regard to these statistics and demonstrate his comfort on the ball and moving forward up the pitch.

His defensive numbers are far superior to those of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, two of Spurs’ other centre-back options, and the numbers suggest the defence must be built around him.

Analysis of some of the 25-year-old’s highlights also further demonstrates that he would be a fantastic fit for Postecoglou.

As mentioned, the former Australia manager enjoys a high-octane attacking style of football where his defenders are capable of pressing aggressively high up the field, which Romero certainly enjoys doing.

The above image shows Romero in action for Spurs against Leicester at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the 2021/22 campaign. The photo shows he has already engaged high up the field, winning the initial tackle near the halfway line. Romero then continues to follow the ball along the path of the arrow.

He chases the ball following its ricochet from his first tackle and makes a second tackle now well inside the Leicester City half to win possession back for Tottenham.

This is just one of countless examples of Romero’s aggressive pressing style, which Postecoglou will love to see.

At the age of just 25, the former Serie A defender still has plenty of time to develop and on the right-hand side of a back four has real potential to flourish under his new manager.

Now it is time for the club to find him a suitable partner.

In other Tottenham news, Spurs Scout has identified a potential target who could very well become that partner.