A pundit has made a bold claim about Tottenham defender Cristian Romero's level, stating that a teammate is ten times better than him.
Jamie O’Hara has made a bold claim about the current state of Tottenham's defence, insisting that Micky van de Ven is "ten times better" than his centre-back partner, Cristian Romero.
The former Spurs midfielder's comments come amid criticism of Romero's recent performances, which have raised eyebrows after a solid 2023-24 campaign.
Romero, who was a standout figure last season, has failed to maintain that high standard this term.
While the Argentine was a key part of Tottenham's defence and played a major role in Argentina's World Cup win, his performances this season have been marked by rash decisions and costly mistakes.
With several errors already punished by opposition teams, O'Hara hasn't held back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the 26-year-old.
Pundit claims Tottenham defender is 'ten times better' than Cristian Romero
During a conversation with ex-Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders on talkSPORT, O'Hara did not mince words.
When asked if Van de Ven had made more mistakes than Romero, O'Hara replied sharply: "No, Romero makes a mistake every game."
He went on to say that, in his view, the Dutchman has been far superior this season, adding, "Van de Ven has been ten times better than him. He's a better player."
Romero’s aggressive playing style has long been both a strength and a weakness. While his tenacity and leadership are valuable assets, his tendency to overcommit and engage in rash tackles has led to avoidable mistakes.
This season, those moments have cost Spurs in important matches, and O'Hara's comments reflect the growing frustration among fans and pundits alike.
Meanwhile, Van de Ven has impressed since his arrival at Tottenham, providing stability at the back with his composed, reliable performances.
His pace and positioning have helped shore up the defence, and it’s clear that his partnership with Romero has not been as seamless as hoped.
Romero's future remains uncertain amid interest from clubs
With just over 18 months left on Romero’s contract, speculation about his future is heating up.
Reports suggest that the Argentine is holding off on talks over a new deal, with rumours linking him to a potential move to Real Madrid.
‼️Cristian Romero is refusing to enter talks to extend his current contract.
— The Spurs Watch (@TheSpursWatch) November 14, 2024
Real Madrid are understood to be planning to reignite their long-term interest.
Tottenham are currently not entertaining bids.@footyinsider247 pic.twitter.com/i4SJUeNJms
Should his performances continue to dip, some Tottenham supporters may feel his departure wouldn’t be the worst thing for the club.
For now, however, Spurs will need to rely on Van de Ven's impressive form if they are to maintain any hope of building a solid defensive foundation this season.