Cristian Romero’s harsh tackle on Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez got him a red card in the 33rd minute of their English Premier League, week eleven match, and thereafter the tide of the game turned against his team. They lost 1-4.
Football has for the past century grown to become a sport with great excitement to such an extent that memories of some great matches remain evergreen in the hearts of football fans for decades. Several legends have emerged from various playing positions; Lev Yashin(USSR), Gordon Banks(England), and Dino Zoff(Italy) were renowned goalkeepers, Franco Baresi,(Italy), Paulo Maldini(Italy), Daniel Passarella,(Argentina), Roberto Carlos(Brazil) made a good impression as defenders, just like Pele(Brazil), Johan Cruyff,(Netherland), Diego Maradona,(Argentina), George Weah,(Liberia), the Ronaldo’s(Brazil and Portugal) and Lionel Messi(Argentina) have got their legendary status as strikers. We cannot forget Andreas Pirlo, (Italy), Lothar Matthaeus, (Germany), Socrates, (Brazil), Xavi, (Spain), Andreas Iniesta, (Spain), Carlos Valderamma (Columbia), Luka Modric (Croatia) in the midfield. The exploits of these legends have remained the standard with which players after them are judged.
CRISTIAN ROMERO’S COMBATIVE ATTRIBUTES
Argentine World Cup-winning defender, Cristian Romero, of Tottenham Hotspur FC, was recently referred to by his compatriot, Lionel Messi as the World's best defender after Argentina’s one-nil victory over Ecuador in October. Though his exploits helped Argentina win the World Cup and was once adjudged the best defender in the Serie A of the Italian Scudetto, his actions on Monday dearly caused his team, a humiliating loss. He was given a straight three-match ban. With the lack of a reliable backup and the important matches he’d miss, Romero’s absence could be very damaging to their positive progress.
The writer once referred to Romero as a disaster waiting to happen because of his crude and unconventional style of play and the same was wryly reiterated by his teammate, Dejan Kuluveski in his analysis about their loss. Cristian Romero’s on-field record is poor and needs to refine his style to achieve the extraordinary potential before him. Lionel Messi’s assertion about him compliments the poppy who doesn’t feel the aggression of its mother but it could also be his recognition of the potential he sees in Romero.
THE NEED FOR CRISTIAN ROMERO TO IMPROVE
His club coach, Ange Postecoglou, made him one of the captains at the start of the 2023/24 season and it was expected that this would make him better than the erratic disposition he carries. His personality and football potential tick the boxes to make him an exceptional defender but unlike all the legendary defenders mentioned earlier, Romero doesn't need brute force and dangerous tackles to win his duels. His despicable action cost his team their first EPL loss this season and with further losses of other players in that match, their prospects could be diminished. With age still on his side, he can improve and cut out those attributes that draw the ire of referees. His style could also be a reason for his frequent injury cases and unless he improves his style would remain a baggage for every team he plays.
