In Inter’s defensive lineup, a player with character and personality was needed. Romero is the profile chosen for this role, a footballer with a determined temperament who recalls some of the Nerazzurri’s past defenders. Negotiations with Tottenham are ongoing to bring the Argentine to Milan, despite high financial demands and an age that differs from Oaktree’s usual strategy, which is more oriented towards players under 25 years old.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chivu appreciates in him qualities that go beyond the technical aspect. The nickname Cuti, which has followed him since childhood when his older sister Aldana mispronounced his name Cristian, should not be misleading. When Son, his teammate at Spurs, asked him if it came from the English word “cutie,” the answer was no: on the pitch, there is nothing gentle about his way of defending.
The pink newspaper describes him as “the direct descendant of Walter Samuel,” who is now his assistant coach in the Argentine national team. The comparison extends to other pillars of Inter’s past defense: Lucio, Cordoba, and Materazzi, players who managed to combine defensive solidity with character and a winning mentality. In a backline that already boasts good feet with Bastoni, positional intelligence with Akanji, and athletic boldness with Bisseck, what was missing was the tough guy of the group. Romero would complete the puzzle with his grit, filling a specific gap in the defensive package available to the coach.
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