Van Dijk told Tottenham star Romero is ’10 times better’ than Liverpool man

Ex-Argentina international Jorge Burruchaga has argued that Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero is a much better defender than Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk told Tottenham star Cristian Romero is ‘ten times better’ than Liverpool man (Image: Nesimages/Michael Bulder/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero is far better than Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, according to former Argentina international Jorge Burruchaga.
Van Dijk was widely regarded as the best centre-back in the world a few seasons ago, finishing second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or voting, a year that also saw him win the PFA Player of the Year award after lifting the UEFA Champions League with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
But the Dutch international has struggled to hit those heights since sustaining an ACL injury back in 2020, with some supporters now arguing that Manchester City duo John Stones and Ruben Dias have since surpassed the Dutchman as the Premier League’s best centre-half.
Now, Burruchaga has argued that Spurs’ Romero is ten times as good as the Reds skipper during a recent interview. “They say Van Dijk and tell me he is the best defender in the world. Romero is 10 times more,” he told Radio La Red via Sport Witness.
“If you look at the best defenders, they are not fast. And Cuti (Romero) has balance and speed. He’s extraordinary.”
Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in the summer of 2021, quickly establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young defenders. But the 25-year-old struggled for consistency last term, with the north Londoners enduring a torrid campaign that eventually saw Antonio Conte leave the club.
However, Romero has looked back to his best in the first few weeks of the 2023/24 campaign, helping Ange Postecoglou’s side accrue ten points from their opening four league fixtures.
Sign up to our Tottenham WhatsApp service and get all the latest breaking news and in-depth stories from football.london’s dedicated Tottenham writers direct to your phone.
By signing up to this free service you will be the first to know the news from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as it happens.