Following Lisandro Martinez’s transfer to Manchester United, a lot has been said about the Argentine’s apparent lack of height when it comes to playing at centre-back. Erik ten Hag certainly doesn’t think so…
Standing at 5ft 9in (175cm), Martinez is on track to be the shortest centre-back in the Premier League next season, as per Sky Sports News.
Lisandro Martínez is currently on track to be the SHORTEST centre-back in the Premier League next season. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/QvhXaMpNr3
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 18, 2022
Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, who previously proved himself at Premier League level with Bournemouth, was noted as the shortest last season – standing at 180cm.
Sky Sports News followed up their claim that Martinez is set to become the shortest centre-back in the Premier League by giving us some worthy statistics to explain why Erik ten Hag trusted him in the heart of his successful Ajax defence.
The report claims Martinez completed more headed clearances than any other player in the Ajax squad last season, winning 71% of aerial duels.
On top of that, Martinez had more successful long passes per 90 minutes than any player in Ten Hag’s squad.
Lisandro Martínez numbers per 90 in the Eredivisie last season. 📈 pic.twitter.com/1WCArdZHiB
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 18, 2022
Lisandro Martínez completed MORE headed clearances than any other player in the Ajax squad last season, winning 71% of aerial duels. 📈
Only Harry Maguire had a better ratio from Manchester United’s current central defenders last season. 👀 pic.twitter.com/GQ1Ht8koYT
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 18, 2022
Ten Hag wanted to sign a ball playing centre-back this summer and he’s got one in Martinez. We’ll see once the season begins how problematic his height is, but I don’t think it will be as big as issue as some presume.
I mean, former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano became a very good centre-back at Barcelona, and he stands at 5ft 9in. The legendary Fabio Cannavaro is another.
