Romero Heaps Praise on Former Teammate Van de Ven: 'An Incredible Player'

Cristian Romero has described his former Tottenham teammate Micky van de Ven as "incredible" and "a player who has everything".

The two centre-backs played together at Tottenham for three seasons before Romero's move to Atlético Madrid this summer.

Tottenham won 34 of the 73 matches in which Romero and Van de Ven started together (a 46.6% win rate – 14 draws, 25 defeats). In the 80 matches in which at least one of the pair was absent, the team's win rate dropped to 37.5% (30 wins, 15 draws, 35 defeats).

In addition, when both players started, the London side scored more goals per game (1.8 against 1.6) and conceded fewer (1.4 against 1.6). The most memorable moment the pair shared came in the 2024-25 Europa League final. Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 to end a 17-year wait for a trophy, with Van de Ven playing a key role in the triumph through an acrobatic goal-line clearance.

Although Romero's Tottenham spell ended on a sour note, with the team narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the Argentine defender did not hold back in praising his former partner.

Speaking to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, Romero said:

"At club level, I shared a lot of moments with Micky van de Ven at Tottenham, and I think that was impressive. He's an incredible player and he has everything a centre-back needs."

"Since he's still young, it's obviously up to him what he wants to do and where he wants to go in his career, because he has it all. He's very quick, he can carry the ball out, he defends well, he steps up to meet opponents, he's very good with his feet and he's very technical."

"Honestly, from day one he was the teammate who understood me best in my club career and raised my level. I pushed him up too, and we have a great relationship. He really is a very good centre-back."