Tottenham’s Cristian Romero has named Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez as one of the two best centre-backs in the Premier League.
Argentina international Romero has been in the English top-flight for over a year, having joined Spurs from Serie A side Atalanta in the summer of 2021.
Romero ‘loved’ watching Barcelona’s Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano growing up and says the current Premier League is not short of top-class defenders.
The 24-year-old views United summer signing Martinez and Liverpool hero Virgil van Dijk as the two stand-out centre-backs currently operating in England.
Manchester United spent £57m to sign Argentine defender Martinez from Ajax over the summer, with the 24-year-old making a promising start to his Red Devils career.
Martinez was the subject of criticism as United lost their opening two games but has impressed in recent weeks to help Erik ten Hag’s side win four matches in a row and climb to fifth in the Premier League.
Van Dijk, meanwhile, has been a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side since 2018, helping the Reds win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Tottenham’s Romero told Sky Sports: ‘I always loved watching that Barcelona team because I loved to watch Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, and also Javier Mascherano when he played there. Those three were beautiful to watch.’
Asked to pick out his favourite defenders currently in the Premier League, Romero added: ‘Today, the best defender for me is Virgil van Dijk, always, and Lisandro Martinez from Manchester United.
‘For me, they are the best in the Premier League.’
With his no-nonsense approach to defending, Martinez has quickly developed into a fans’ favourite at Manchester United.
He says it is amazing how the Old Trafford fans have taken him to heart and even admits he is surprised by their reaction to him.
‘I’m a little bit surprised, but at the same time I feel very proud,’ Martinez told MUTV last week.
‘To come here to the best club in the world and the people say “Argentina, Argentina”, it’s amazing.’
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