Jamie O’Hara has criticized Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, labeling him a “liability” for Ange Postecoglou’s team this season.
O’Hara believes that Micky van de Ven has outperformed the Argentine significantly, claiming the Dutchman has been “ten times better.”
Tottenham’s start to the season has been inconsistent, with the team losing five of their first eleven Premier League games.
Currently sitting in tenth place, Spurs have conceded 13 goals, a tally higher than Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Newcastle.
Defensive frailty has been a recurring issue, with Van de Ven and Romero forming the central defensive pairing in most matches.
O’Hara has highlighted this vulnerability, stating that while Van de Ven has been a standout performer, Romero’s displays have fallen short.
The two defenders, who formed a solid partnership last season, have struggled to replicate their success this campaign.
Tottenham’s defensive struggles were particularly evident during their 3-0 defeat to Brighton, with Romero’s performances under increasing scrutiny.
Van de Ven, who joined Tottenham for £43 million last summer, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing recent defeats to Galatasaray and Ipswich.
His absence has further exposed Tottenham’s defensive weaknesses, sparking debates over Romero’s form and reliability.
On talkSPORT, O’Hara and Dean Saunders openly criticized the World Cup-winning defender, questioning his consistency and decision-making.
During their discussion, Saunders pointed out Romero’s rash tendencies, to which O’Hara responded: “Romero makes a mistake every game.
He’s a World Cup winner, but he’s not world-class.” Saunders agreed, adding, “I’d get him sent off in ten minutes.”
O’Hara continued to praise Van de Ven, stating, “He’s been ten times better than Romero this season. He’s the better player.”
While Romero’s talent is undeniable, his performances this season have failed to meet expectations, with fans and pundits alike questioning his role in Tottenham’s defensive struggles.
As Spurs navigate a challenging campaign, the team’s defensive setup remains a major concern, and Romero will need to find his form quickly to silence his critics and solidify his place in Postecoglou’s plans.
