The transition news cycle and its short-term attention have struck again.
Just a few weeks after Manchester United were tipped to hire Atalanta defender Cristian Romero, it seems that Tottenham have moved to pole position.
The Argentine midfielder is a hot asset after shielding a fantastic Serie A season by winning the Copa America, and his arrival would certainly be a step in the right direction for Nuno Espirito Santo as he looks to get his new Spurs side in form.
But who is Romero? And what can Tottenham fans expect if he arrives in north London?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Romero kisses the Copa America Trophy / MB Media / Getty Images
Last month, Romero realized his long-term goal of playing for Argentina. Just five games later, he is a South American champion.
The 23-year-old went to the Copa America with his country and established himself as a start with strong performances against Uruguay and Paraguay in the group stage. The injury then struck, but he returned to the final when they beat Brazil to win the famous trophy.
Argentina did not concede a goal in Romero’s 259 minutes on the pitch, which says it all.
? Atalanta’s Cristian Romero is the highest ranked midfielder in both Serie A (7.17) and Champions League (7.67) this season
? Only one player in Europe’s top five leagues averages more interceptions per game than Romero (3.1) #MUFC pic.twitter.com/89RqsbcQqF
– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 13, 2021
If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about with Romero, it’s because he’s just gotten behind a very, very good season.
Atalanta are not exactly known for their robust defense, but they had the fifth best record in Serie A last semester – largely thanks to Romero’s inspiring screens.
He was named Serie A defender of the year for 2020/21 and made the second most interception of any player in the division, behind Torino’s Bremer.
SEASON RECYCLES ⏪ @ CutiRomero2
Simply the best defender from @SerieA 20/21! ? A first Atlantic stallion of the clock for the Cuti! ??
Simply the best 20/21 @SerieA_ES defender! ? A dreamy first #Atalanta season for Cristian #Romero! ????
? https://t.co/vfIGzDn1Cl pic.twitter.com/UiTSLIlnKq
– Atalanta BC (@Atalanta_BC) June 17, 2021
While Romero is skilled at playing the ball from behind, his real strengths lie in the more traditional aspects of defending.
He’s a brick wall, and despite his not really high 6’1 frame, he’s a monster in the air.
He literally never loses a head and his 3.8 duel in the air per game is better than any Spurs player, including Eric Dier (3.1), Davinson Sanchez (2.7) and Toby Alderweireld (1.8).
Romero in his natural element / Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Romero praised for his aggressive, old-school Argentine style of defending, is that he is a common feature in the judge’s book.
He recorded 21 yellow cards in all competitions last season and was sent out twice, suggesting that discipline may be the biggest drawback of his game.
? Cristian Romero had an average of 6.8 tackles and interceptions per game in the Champions League last season, more than any other player in the competition (2+ apps) pic.twitter.com/nwif4xRsiK
– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 22, 2021
Romero has been strongly linked with Tottenham and Manchester United, but he prefers Chelsea, according to Genoa legend Claudio Onofri.
Onofri is a commentator on Italian television and often waxed lyrical about the defender back when he played for Genoa.
In 2019, he let it slip that Romero is a “fan of Chelsea” – although it is unclear if he meant that he supports them, or if he was just a fan of their football in general.
“If he were to leave Genoa one day, he would be a fan of Chelsea, just to give an example,” said Onofri.
Romero has made more appearances against Juventus than for them / Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Genoa signed Romero from the Argentine side Belgrano in 2018, and after an impressive debut season in Serie A, Juventus put in and signed him for 26 million euros.
He spent the 2019/20 season on loan back in Genoa, and after returning to Juve he was sent to Atalanta.
La Dea maintains an option to buy in the store, and they look to start it and sell him for a quick profit this summer. This means that Romero has been a Juventus player for two years, but will leave without making a single appearance for them.
Santo loves a three-back-back / Paul Harding / Getty Images
It’s no secret that Nuno Espirito Santo loves a back three. He has not used it with Spurs during the season yet, but that was his tactical identity at Wolves, and it seems likely that he will return to it at some point in north London.
The signing of Romero really seems to point in that direction. He is well used to playing in three-defender formations, having done so to a large extent with Atalanta and Genoa.
He is at his best to the right of the three, but his commanding flight presence means that he can play in the center without missing a shot.
