With uncertainty surrounding the future of David de Gea, Manchester United moved to sign Argentina international goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a free transfer. The 28-year-old stopper played for Sampdoria last season, but didn’t have his contract renewed by the Italian side. He has penned a three-year deal with United, with an option of a fourth year.
Speaking about his latest addition, Louis van Gaal cited his previous history with the Argentine as key to his decision:
“With the threat that David de Gea is going to Real Madrid, we had to prepare our season. I think Sergio Romero can fulfil that because you have to handle quickly what may happen with David de Gea. He has international experience. I know him very good because I picked him when he was 19 years old to AZ Alkmaar, my former club. I know him. I also know his character so I hope he can have a contribution to our selection and I have confidence he can give that.”
THE HISTORY
Having played youth team football for Argentinian teams Almirante Brown and C.A.I, Romero joined Racing Club de Avellaneda at the age of 16. He quickly progressed to the first XI, and made his debut during the 2006/27 campaign, turning out five times in the Argentine Primera Division that season.
That had been enough to attract the attention of AZ Alkmaar in Holland, then managed by van Gaal, and Romero moved to the Dutch side in the summer of 2007. Following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Boy Waterman, Romero made hid Eredivisie debut in September 2007 against Herecles, and chalked up a further 11 appearances during his first year in Holland. Having impressed in those performances, he became the first-choice keeper ahead of the 2008/09 campaign, and made 28 appearances as AZ won the league. Romero played in all six Champions League group stage matches the following season, but AZ finished bottom of their group with just four points.
In the summer of 2011, Romero completed a move to then-Serie B outfit Sampdoria, who immediately won promotion back to the top flight via the play-offs. Romero made 30 appearances during that campaign, and managed another 32 appearances in Serie A the following season as I Blucerchiati finished 14th.
Romero spent the 2013/14 season on loan at Monaco, but only made three appearances for the French outfit, with Danijel Subasic preferred in goal. He returned to Sampdoria last year, but again found himself as the back-up goalkeeper behind Emiliano Viviano, limiting the Argentine to ten league appearances.
Since making his international debut in 2009 against Paraguay, Romero has made 62 appearances for Argentina, and has been the first-choice goalkeeper since 2010. He played in all seven matches at last year’s World Cup, and was named on the three-man shortlist for FIFA’s Golden Glove award.
THE PROSPECTS
From a Fantasy perspective, it’s clear that Romero will only move onto our radars should De Gea join Real Madrid in this transfer window. The Spain international was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season and will undoubtedly remain the first-choice keeper if he stays in Manchester.
De Gea’s uncharacteristically poor display in United’s 2-0 loss against PSG in the early hours of this morning will perhaps give Van Gaal food for thought, though. With Victor Valdes looking likely to leave in light of his manager’s public criticism, Romero would surely be named as United’s new number one if Van Gaal decides to let De Gea depart for a fee this summer rather than see out the final year of his contract. Only today, the Dutchman bemoaned the ongoing transfer saga, admitting it is “not favourable” ahead of the new campaign.
Priced at 5.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Romero is cheaper than De Gea (5.5) and also kinder on the budget than any of United’s likely starters in defence, with Chris Smalling costing a lofty 6.0, by comparison. Due to injuries and rotation, no United defender made 30 or more starts in 2014/15 and with a multitude of options available, it may well be that their number one will be the most secure option once again.
The Red Devils have a reasonable first four matches (TOT, avl, NEW, swa) this season, although the schedule does get tougher thereafter (LIV, sot, SUN, ars, eve, MCI). Granted, United only managed 11 clean sheets last year but Van Gaal’s side conceded just 37 times – only five more than Chelsea’s 32 goals against. With new boys Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger likely to provide a good shield in front of the back four, the United defence certainly look in line to improve.
Should De Gea leave, Romero would make a significant leap onto many managers’ Watchlists at such a kind price. Clearly, he has his manager’s backing and the pair’s history in the Netherlands underlines Van Gaal’s faith in the Argentine. Providing De Gea decides to stay for one last year, though, Romero will have to rely on an injury to the Spaniard to come into contention.
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