Tottenham: £36m defender 'more talented' than Vertonghen and Alderweireld

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero is more talented than former Spurs duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, as well as current teammate Eric Dier, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Romero signed from Atalanta back in August, and has made a very positive impression in his first season at Spurs.

It appeared at one stage that Romero’s maiden campaign in England could be ruined by injury when he missed three months due to a hamstring problem.

However, he returned in early February, and has been a key part of Tottenham’s back three under Antonio Conte over the past two months.

Since he came back into the team, Tottenham have kept four clean sheets in their 11 top-flight matches. Romero has led the way at the back, and is quickly establishing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet.

As per WhoScored, he has made 2.8 tackles per game – more than any of his teammates, while he also ranks in the top two in the Tottenham squad when it comes to interceptions (1.3 per game) and clearances (3 per game).

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Brown feels Vertonghen and Alderweireld were crucial to Spurs’ success under Mauricio Pochettino, while he also praised the role that Dier played in that side. The England international has since moved into defence to play alongside Romero.

However, Brown has been blown away by the way that Romero has settled into life in north London.

When asked if Romero had the potential to be one of Tottenham’s finest centre-backs of the modern era, Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “He could be, definitely. Their success under Pochettino, while it was built on hard work and pressing, and Kane and Eriksen, and Dele Alli to begin with, it was also based on the