LONDON, ENGLAND — Chelsea midfielder Valentin Barco has revealed that he would love to see Argentina international Cristian Romero join the Blues.
Barco made the revelation following previous reports linking the defender with a summer move.
Playing with National Teammates
Barco has shared the pitch with several outstanding footballers while representing Argentina. These include Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez.
He has experienced international football alongside some of the country’s biggest stars. Argentina reached the World Cup final during the summer.
Barco would welcome the opportunity to play alongside another national teammate regularly at club level.
The Recommendation
During an interview with journalist Gaston Edul on his YouTube channel, Barco was asked which player he would choose if Chelsea’s owners allowed him to recommend a signing.
He answered: “Cuti.”
His response referred to Romero, whose nickname is Cuti. The 28-year-old defender recently left Tottenham Hotspur for Atletico Madrid.
He had previously spent several seasons competing against Chelsea in English football.
Romero’s Record Against Chelsea
Romero endured difficult encounters against the Blues. He won just one of eight meetings, suffering six defeats and recording one draw.
He was also sent off against Chelsea during his Tottenham career.
Despite those struggles, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville questioned Chelsea’s decision not to pursue Romero. This was when they were searching for defensive reinforcements during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea’s Defensive Signing
Instead, Chelsea completed a £52 million move for Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.
Unfortunately, the French defender has suffered an injury. He is expected to keep him unavailable throughout the remainder of 2026.
Romero had reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Arsenal. He eventually chose Atletico Madrid, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
Complications of a Transfer
A transfer involving Tottenham’s captain would have been complicated. This is because of the rivalry between both London clubs.
However, their relationship has improved recently following several player movements between the sides.
Chelsea previously allowed Tosin Adarabioyo and Mykhailo Mudryk to move towards Tottenham. But selling Romero directly would have represented a considerably different situation for both clubs.
What This Means
Barco’s comments are a strong endorsement of Romero’s abilities. It shows that the defender is highly rated by his international teammates.
For Chelsea, the recommendation is a signal that they may have missed an opportunity in the summer transfer window.
What Happens Next
Chelsea will continue to monitor the transfer market. The club may consider a move for Romero in the future.
For now, the focus is on the current season. The coming months will reveal whether Chelsea will revisit their interest in the defender.
