How tall is Lisandro Martinez in comparison to centre-backs at Liverpool, Chelsea & more?

Manchester United confirmed the signing of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax last week, with the deal subject to the completion of a medical and visa.

But there have been concerns raised by some that the Argentinian isn’t tall enough to play centre-back, the position he occupied for Ajax last term.

Despite that, Erik ten Hag recently described Martinez as a ‘warrior’ who ‘has an attitude and fighting spirit’.

But will that be enough to succeed as a Premier League centre-back? We’ve had a look at just how tall the 24-year-old is, and how that compares to other top-flight defenders.

How tall is Lisandro Martinez?

Martinez is 175cm tall, which equates to 5’9. While this is around average height for a UK male, it is far below the norm for a Premier League centre-back.

How does Martinez compare to other Premier League centre-backs?

In comparison, Harry Maguire is 194cm, with Raphael Varane at 191cm. Fellow United defenders Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are 187cm respectively.

United’s smallest centre-backs last season were Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, who both come in at 185cm, a full 10cm taller than Martinez.

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk measures 193cm, two centimetres smaller than Joel Matip.

United’s other rivals, Manchester City, have centre-backs at 189cm, 188cm and 187cm - Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Ruben Dias.

However, Nathan Ake is a relatively small height of 180cm, while highly regarded Chelsea defender Thiago Silva is 181cm.

The Mirror claim Ake was, in fact, the smallest centre-back prior to Martinez’s arrival, with Cesar Azplicieuta standing at 178cm, although he isn’t a traditional centre-back.

What has Erik ten Hag had to say?

Speaking in a recent interview with the Athletic, the United manager insisted he has no concerns about Martinez’s height.

“I analysed and United last year were quite vulnerable over the left part of the defence,” said the Dutchman. “[Lisandro Martinez] is left-footed and that is an advantage in possession but also in defending.

“He also brings a South American spirit, a controlled aggressiveness. I think it will fit really good to Manchester United and our way of playing.

“He’s not the tallest but he is quite good in the air. I feel comfortable with that. Of course, you need the right balance. He has good timing, that’s one of his capabilities. We bring him in to not strengthen the squad, but the team.”