Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini has claimed that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is perfect and admitted that he was wrong to doubt his ability.
Martinez arrived at Old Trafford in the summer as the first of two signings Erik ten Hag made from his former club Ajax. After several pundits predicted that the central defender's height could hold him back in the Premier League 'The Butcher', as he is affectionately known, became a regular in United's defence.
His impressive performances alongside Raphael Varane have made it difficult for captain Harry Maguire to gain minutes and earned Martinez MEN Sport's Player of the Year award in 2022. When asked about the Reds' centre-back, Chiellini told ESPN Argentina that he has been impressed with several aspects of the Argentine's game.
ALSO READ: Shaw responds to early Martinez criticism
The 38-year-old, who now plays for LAFC, said: "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 [Leandro] Bonucci, we completed each other.
"Lisandro could play with [Nicolas] Otamendi, [Cristian] 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." Martinez will be hoping to feature for United again today as the Reds travel to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.
READ NEXT:
