Tottenham Hotspur duo dubbed the best in the world; comparable to Liverpool superstar

Pundit hails partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven behind Tottenham’s strong start to the 2025/26 Premier League season

Romero and Van de Ven have played together for two seasons in north London and forged a strong understanding at the back. The duo were unfortunate to spend several months on the sidelines due to injury problems last season, as Tottenham royally struggled in defence and eventually finished just a place above the three relegated clubs in the Premier League.

With 2024/25 done and dusted, the central defenders have started the new campaign very well, and in addition to keeping a clean sheet on Saturday, they contributed offensively too. Romero picked up an assist for a delightful long pass for Lucas Bergvall’s towering header, while Van de Ven scored a composed goal with his weaker right foot against West Ham.

Now, ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara has hailed the partnership of Romero and Van de Ven following the club’s strong start to the season. He claims the pair would walk into any team in the world right now, and the only defender better than them right now is Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk.

“We’ve got a good side, mate. At the back, strong. Van der Ven, Romero. Mate, I’m telling you now, Van der Ven and Romero I’d go as far to say is the best centre-back partnership in the world right now,” Jamie O’Hara said on talkSPORT show.

“They get into any team in the world right and the only player there’s only one player who I think is probably better than them and that’s Van Dijk. But as a partnership, when you actually look at Spurs’ side right now, it’s a strong team mate.”

Romero and Van de Ven must stay fit

Much of Tottenham’s lack of defensive stability and leadership was down to an injury crisis, with Romero and Van de Ven missing large chunks of action. Somehow, the duo managed to return in the final weeks of the last season and played key roles in the Europa League triumph. Van den Ven delivered an iconic goal-line clearance off Rasmus Hojlund’s header, but Romero plucked the Man of the Match award for a near-flawless display in the final.

If Spurs are to compete realistically in every competition, Romero and Van de Ven have to stay fit. A lot of Tottenham’s rigidity, discipline and togetherness in defence has been down to defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha’s performances. The Portugal international’s impact after arriving on loan from Bayern Munich in the summer has not gone unnoticed, but one cannot argue that Romero and Van de Ven as a partnership are looking rock-solid as ever. Just stay fit, you two!