'He's outstanding': Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou runs out of superlatives to describe £42.5m signing

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says you won't win the World Cup as a main 'contributor' and not be an outstanding athlete when asked about his assistant captain Cristian Romero. 

The 25-year-old has only been sent off once this season and it came in the game against Chelsea back in November. He's also picked up just the four yellow cards, which is three less than he did at this stage last campaign. 

Clearly, on a mission to improve his disciplinary record without losing his competitive edge, Romero has 59% tackling accuracy, 105 interceptions and 136 headed clearance. His form and the fact that he's stayed on the field more so far this season has left Spurs just five points behind this weekend's opponents Villa and manager Postecoglou could not stop praising what a good athlete his Argentinian World Cup winner is.

He said when asked about the defender's improving disciplinary record: "He's outstanding but I thought he was from day one. He's a World Cup winner. You don't win World Cups as a starter, a contributor [unless you're good]. 

"He's got a great pedigree, he's a great defender, a great guy, very driven and motivated. He is highly competitive in everything he does and I love that. There's nothing more you'd want in an athlete, and he's a great example for the other guys." 

Spurs are on a club league record run of scoring in 38 consecutive matches, stretching back to a 1-0 defeat at Wolves on 4 March last year. However, Aston Villa have beaten Spurs in three successive Premier League meetings for the first time since a club record run of four from 1994 to 1996.