Lisandro Martinez has been branded "perfect" by legendary defender Giorgio Chiellini, who believes the Manchester United man can be a part of a partnership as strong as his was with Leonardo Bonucci.
Martinez has been a revelation since joining united from Ajax last summer, and has been a key part of Erik ten Hag's team as they mount an unlikely Premier League title challenge. He will play for United on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final as United chase the first trophy of Ten Hag's tenure at the club.
The Argentine international faced criticism after he first joined the club, with many fans and pundits questioning whether he was tall enough to play as a central defender in the Premier League. Jamie Carragher in particular tore into the United star and suggested rival teams would target him due to his size.
And Chiellini admitted this week that he had the same doubts after first watching Martinez, only for the United man to prove him wrong. Speaking ahead of the launch of the new Major League Soccer season, Chiellini heaped praise on the young centre-back, comparing his position in the game to that of himself and Bonucci.
Chiellini said to ESPN Argentina: "He is very good. Technically very good and he has a good attitude. He's not too tall, he's aggressive, fast, technically he's perfect.
"I think mixed with another kind of defender he's perfect, but it was always the same for me and Bonucci, we completed each other. Lisandro could play with Otamendi, Romero for the national team, they're perfect to play with him.
"I didn't think to be honest some years ago when I see at the beginning and he started to play as a defender, [I didn't think] he could arrive at this level in that position, I made a mistake as in the last two years he was really unbelievable.
"Also in England, a very difficult league, he's still playing well. I love his attitude. He never gives up, he wants to be tall against a tall striker, I love his attitude."
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