Cristian Romero can be like Antonio Rudiger for Tottenham, says former Spurs defender Graham Roberts.
Tottenham signed Romero from Atalanta for around £42m during the summer transfer window to give Nuno Espirito Santo’s defence a boost.
The 23-year-old has played three Premier League matches for Spurs so far, including the 3-0 defeat against Rudiger’s Chelsea, and currently leads the way for blocks made per game (1.3) in Nuno’s squad (via WhoScored).
Is Romero better than Rudiger?
Yes
Not yet
As for Rudiger, the Germany international has had quite the revival at Chelsea. After being a fringe player for the first half of last season under Frank Lampard, he has since become a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s team, helping the Blues to the Champions League trophy earlier this year.
And Roberts, who believes Rudiger is the most improved central defender in the Premier League, thinks Romero could end up replicating the former AS Roma man at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“For me, Rudiger is the most improved centre-half in the Premier League,” the Tottenham icon said to TIF. “With Frank, he wasn’t as good as he is now. He’s very, very good. He’s tough, strong, plays the game.
“I think Romero’s like that and I think he could be an absolute banker for us. I think it’s a major signing that, major signing.”
If Romero can produce the kind of performances that Rudiger has been putting in of late, with the 28-year-old nominated for Premier League Player of the Month for September, then Spurs may have struck gold.