Could Cristian Romero have played his final match for Tottenham Hotspur? The current state of Spurs is shrouded in uncertainty, which won’t begin to clarify until they determine the league tier they will be competing in next season.
The notion of Tottenham facing relegation from the Premier League feels unreal yet increasingly actual each week. Their recent 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, marked by conceding a last-minute equalizer, adds to a frustrating season. Currently, they sit two points under the safety threshold with five matches remaining.
New manager Roberto De Zerbi, likely buoyed by some progress but aware of the fragile mindset of his squad, asserted that Spurs could defy the odds and win all five remaining games to secure their status.
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The final stretch of the season will require a full commitment from a beleaguered squad, but their captain will not take part. Romero has sustained a knee injury that has ended his season, suffering the setback during their 1-0 loss to Sunderland on April 12, resulting in him leaving the field in tears. It’s plausible that his emotional reaction was more tied to his national team, Argentina, as the FIFA World Cup approaches in less than two months with his status now in jeopardy.
Tottenham fans have grown accustomed to Romero’s absence, thanks to his numerous suspensions over the years. The outcome of Spurs’ efforts to avoid relegation in his absence may lead some supporters to view this as the right moment for both the club and their captain to part ways.
This begs the question: How did the situation escalate to this point, and what might the future hold for Romero?
Team Unity?
In the lead-up to the Brighton match, De Zerbi focused on cultivating team unity. He canceled a planned fan event at the stadium to ensure the squad arrived early.
Insiders revealed to ESPN that midfielder James Maddison was at risk of injury if he played against Brighton, yet he was included in the squad for the first time in a year after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
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Laurens: Spurs displayed more heart and intensity during their defeat against Brighton
Julien Laurens emphasizes the next fixture against Wolves as “a must-win” for the relegation-threatened Spurs.
Maddison’s leadership and attitude were crucial for De Zerbi, who appreciated his vibrant presence throughout the match. Injured goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was also close to the substitutes, while Rodrigo Bentancur returned to action for the first time since January, remaining vocal in the dugout during the match.
Meanwhile, Romero sat in a private box in the stadium. He was visible during the game when Spurs went ahead 2-1 with a goal from Xavi Simons. While one could argue he was there to show support, his absence from the team during a time when unity was vital could be perceived negatively.
A Matter of Leadership?
When Thomas Frank was at the helm earlier this season, he appointed Romero as captain following Son Heung-Min’s exit last summer, but sources suggest it wasn’t due to a robust endorsement of Romero’s leadership skills.
Behind the scenes, there is a recognition that Spurs’ squad lacks strong leaders capable of setting the right tone. This deficiency partly prompted attempts to acquire Andy Robertson in January and the eventual signing of Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid.
Romero has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the club twice this season. After a loss to AFC Bournemouth, he urged for more transparency at Spurs. Later, he described the limited squad depth after a draw with Manchester City as “disgraceful.” Many fans share his sentiment regarding the club’s recruitment failures leading to their current dilemma.
Nevertheless, Romero’s conduct undermines his remarks. His expulsion during a match against Manchester United marked his sixth red card since joining in August 2021—more than any other Premier League player during that timeframe. This high number of suspensions and bookings, largely due to reckless tackles and loss of control, leads one to question his leadership role.
Romero has missed 95 of Tottenham’s 251 matches across all competitions since his arrival (including 62 Premier League games) due to suspensions, injuries, or illness, indicating he has played in just 62% of the club’s matches.
Reports indicate that Romero has been tardy to training at least once this season. However, he has provided vital contributions on the pitch, scoring decisive equalizers against Newcastle United and Burnley. Last season, his exceptional performance in the Europa League final against Manchester United earned him the Player of the Match accolade. His replacement against Brighton, Kevin Danso, inadvertently reminded Spurs of their missed quality, conceding a goal that allowed Brighton to equalize.
While the knee injury that ended Romero’s season was not a result of his actions—shoved by Brian Brobbey leading to a collision with goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky—it remains to be seen if this emotional departure will be his final moment in a Tottenham jersey, regardless of their relegation fate.
Future Prospects
Romero is under contract with Tottenham until 2029. His father, Victor Romero, recently stated that there is a release clause in the deal ranging from $50 million to $70 million, depending on the acquiring club. However, Tottenham sources have strongly refuted this, stating no automatic trigger exists to facilitate such a transfer against the club’s wishes.
It’s uncertain whether Tottenham will consider offers for Romero, heavily influenced by De Zerbi’s assessment of the player and their league status next season. Falling to the Championship would present dire consequences for Spurs, who have been operating at a loss since 2019 and hold the seventh-highest wage bill in the Premier League, according to Deloitte. They would need to reconfigure their squad to ensure immediate promotion while also stabilizing financials through player sales and cost-cutting.
Atlético Madrid showed interest in Romero last year and may still be monitoring the situation, while clubs in Italy and England are also keeping a close eye. There’s a prevailing sense that a transfer could benefit all parties involved as Spurs aim to redefine themselves for the future.
Ultimately, the probability of seeing Romero in a Tottenham shirt again hangs precariously in the balance.