Possibly the most over rated player we’ve ever had.
It’s genuinely laughable that people claim his clean sheets against third division and second rate European sides are somehow comparable to De Gea playing against top PL clubs. Even in poor form De Gea is still miles better. We’d be completely fecked if Romero was playing every match. He’s a decent back up and nothing more. Why people act like he’s a top 4 starter despite him never starting for a top club is beyond me.
Romero has conceded 69 goals in 96 starts for Argentina. In the 2016 Copa America he conceded 2 goals in 6 games. In the 2015 Copa America he conceded 3 goals in 6 games. In the 2014 World Cup he conceded 4 goals in 7 games (3 of which went to extra time). The winners Germany, also conceded 4 goals in the tournament. In the knock-out stages, the only goal he conceded came in extra time in the final. All 3 finals were 0-0 at the end of normal time. Twice they lost to Chile on penalties in the Copa America. In the 2018 World Cup, the winners France, conceded 6 goals in 7 games. 3rd place Belgium conceded 6 goals in 7 matches. Finalists Croatia conceded 5 until the final, plus 4 in the final.
In the matches he missed between his first start and his most recent start, Argentina conceded 39 goals in 32 games and another 5 goals after he went off injured after 22 mins against Spain. In the most recent Copa America 2019, Romero dropped, Argentina conceded 6 goals in 6 games. In the most recent World Cup, with Romero injured, they conceded 9 goals in 4 games.
De Gea has conceded 35 goals in 40 starts for Spain. In the games he has missed between his first start and his most recent start, Spain conceded 20 goals in 25 games. The less said about De Gea's performances in the most recent World Cup, the better.
When Romero started for Sampdoria he conceded 39 goals in 2012-13, with a save percentage of 71% in Serie A. In 2014-15 he made 9 starts in Serie A, his save percentage was 72% (this season in Serie A, the respective save percentages for the keeper with most starts, from bottom of the table to top, when I looked last week were: 71, 65, 61, 60, 68, 67, 67 , 64, 67, 71, 62, 77, 74, 70, 60, 67, 59, 75, 76, 78). De Gea achieved a heroic 80% in the PL in Mourinho's 2nd season and an impressive 78% - 79% during Sir Alex's last two seasons. Then between 69% to 72% in Moyes/LVG/Mourinho year 1. Last 2 seasons 68% and 69%.
In his 7 PL starts, Romero's save percentage is 91%. This includes a match against Spurs at home and saving a penalty against Southampton. In the Europa League his save percentage is 85%. In the FA Cup 94%. League Cup 76%.
When we won the Europa League during Mourinho's first season, De Gea conceded 4 goals in 3 games against Fenerbahce and Feyenoord. Romero conceded 4 goals in 12 starts.
Romero doesn't appear to have had a problem keeping clean sheets in high pressure games for Argentina. He almost certainly isn't as good as De Gea at his peak. But when elite shot stopper De Gea is only saving about 70% of shots on target, then there are plenty of keepers who are better than him, and that group includes Romero, as is blindingly obvious from all the stats I've mentioned above. De Gea needs a high save percentage because he is so reluctant to act as a sweeper keeper or to come for crosses. All that leaves is distribution, both are ok but neither are that good; Romero more likely to kick the ball into touch while attempting a long pass, while from time to time, De Gea's medium range passes can gift the ball straight to the opposition.
The reason De Gea starts for us right now is the same reason LVG kept selecting Rooney during his 2nd season and the reason Moyes thought Vidic and Ferdinand should start games when he first arrived; they had all earned so much credit over the years, that the manager was reluctant to drop them for their underwhelming current form, even when it had gone on for far too long.
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