“To be that small and play centre-back, you obviously have to be a special player.”
Jamie Carragher has admitted that he was wrong about Lisandro Martinez.
After Manchester United’s difficult start to the season, Carragher said that the Argentina defender was too small – 5ft 9in – to play in central defence for a team in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool defender predicted that Martinez would not be successful at Old Trafford.
“Now, we should never judge managers or players too early,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football back in August.
“But I’m convinced this can’t work because the size of him playing in a back four. Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League.”
Martinez, however, has since proven doubters wrong. The former Ajax defender, 25, has been one of Man United’s best players this season. He was also part of the Argentina squad which won the World Cup in December.
Carragher has changed his tune on Martinez.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/7dTCCZpTnQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 9, 2023
Martinez’s height hasn’t been an issue in the Premier League. The Argentinian has looked comfortable in central defence alongside Raphael Varane and is fully suited to the physical nature of the Premier League.
Carragher has now admitted that his initial assessment of Martinez was wrong and praised the player’s performances for Man United.
“Lisandro Martínez has been brilliant,” Carragher said on The Overlap Live Fan Debate in partnership with Sky Bet.
“To be that small and play centre-back, you obviously have to be a special player.
“He’s been a big part of Manchester United’s spirit. There was a game I saw a few weeks ago and he was a sub, and someone scored a late goal, and he was right involved in the celebrations.”
"He looks a right character, a lad you want to be in trenches with"https://t.co/n09Yvyv4XP
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 26, 2023
Carragher also said that Martinez’s height could still be exposed in games, but the player is good enough to prevent this apparent weakness from being used against him.
“Someone of that size will get exposed in the air, that has to happen at some stage,” he said.
“Every player has weaknesses. The best players hide them or make sure they don’t get exposed.
“He’s a really good player and he’s surprised me with the way he’s coped.”
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