Will Romero return to Tottenham? Is the team more effective without him?
Has Cristian Romero played his final match for Tottenham Hotspur? Numerous uncertainties surround Spurs at this moment, which will not begin to resolve until they determine which level of English football they will compete in next season.
The possibility of Tottenham’s relegation from the Premier League is both unfathomable and increasingly plausible with each week that passes. Allowing a 95th-minute equalizer to end in a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion was yet another crushing setback in a disappointing season that, coupled with results from other matches, leaves them two points below safety with five fixtures remaining.
New manager Roberto De Zerbi, likely both motivated by what he observed and aware of the necessity to uplift a visibly fragile squad, boldly stated afterward that Spurs could not only avoid relegation but also win all five remaining matches to do so convincingly.
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The concluding matches will require everything from a beleaguered team, but their captain will not be involved. Romero suffered a season-ending knee injury during their 1-0 loss at Sunderland on April 12, leaving the pitch in tears. Those tears may have been more for Argentina than for Spurs, considering the FIFA World Cup is less than two months away and his participation is uncertain.
Tottenham fans have grown accustomed to Romero’s absence from the lineup, given the number of suspensions he has accumulated during his five years at the club. Regardless of the outcome of Spurs’ struggle against relegation without him, some supporters may view this as an opportune moment for both the club and the captain to part ways.
So how did it reach this point, and what lies ahead for Romero?
Part of the group?
De Zerbi sought to cultivate a genuine sense of unity in the lead-up to the match against Brighton. He effectively canceled a planned fan event to welcome the team bus outside the stadium by insisting that the players arrive earlier than usual.
Sources have informed ESPN that it would have been deemed a significant risk had midfielder James Maddison played any minutes against Brighton, yet he was still included in the squad for the first time in 362 days following his anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained last August.
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Julien Laurens states that relegation-threatened Spurs’ upcoming match against Wolves is “the must of the must-wins.”
Maddison’s character and leadership qualities are appreciated by De Zerbi, and he was an energetic presence throughout the match, while injured goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was also positioned just behind the substitutes. Rodrigo Bentancur made his first appearance since January 7 and, when substituted in the 67th minute, remained in the dugout, frequently standing up to offer encouragement, similar to others including Yves Bissouma.
In contrast, Romero was somewhat distanced from all this. The 27-year-old was present in the stadium but had taken a seat high up in a box, with TV cameras capturing him when Xavi Simons scored to give Spurs a 2-1 lead with 13 minutes remaining, seemingly on the path to victory.
It could be suggested that Romero was there to show support, but the optics of being apart from the group at a time when De Zerbi was clearly attempting to foster a closer connection are not favorable.
A positive influence?
Thomas Frank, who started the season as Tottenham’s manager before being dismissed in February, made the choice to appoint Romero as captain following Son Heung-Min’s exit last summer. However, sources have indicated to ESPN that this decision was not based on a strong endorsement of the center back’s leadership abilities.
There has been an acknowledgment behind the scenes at Spurs that the current squad lacks influential figures capable of setting the right example — it was partly for this reason they attempted to acquire Andy Robertson from Liverpool in January and successfully signed Conor Gallagher from AtlΓ©tico Madrid.
Romero has publicly criticized the club on two occasions this season. In January, after a loss at AFC Bournemouth, he stated that more individuals at Spurs should voice their opinions because “they only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.” A month later, he described Spurs having only 11 players available for a 2-2 draw against Manchester City as “disgraceful.” Many supporters may resonate with the general sentiment — that Spurs’ inadequate recruitment over recent seasons has led them to their current predicament.
However, Romero’s actions contradict his statements. February’s red card at Manchester United marked the sixth time Romero has been sent off (including four straight red cards) in all competitions since his debut in August 2021. This figure surpasses that of any other Premier League player during this timeframe. Frank expressed his surprise at this statistic when it was brought to his attention after the match, yet Romero remained captain. He has also received 36 bookings in the Premier League — a high for any defender — and frequently the nature of the sanction is a reckless tackle or a loss of control.
The suspensions resulting from all those cards have accumulated, leading to Romero missing a significant amount of football for his club. Since his arrival in north London in August 2021, Romero has missed 95 of Tottenham’s 251 matches in all competitions (including 62 Premier League games) due to illness, injury, or suspension, meaning he has participated in only 62% of Spurs’ fixtures.
Sources have confirmed to ESPN that Romero has also been late to training on at least one occasion this season. Nevertheless, Romero has made crucial contributions — he scored late equalizers at Newcastle United and Burnley this season, and last term his performance in the Europa League final victory over Manchester United earned him the Player of the Match accolade. His substitute against Brighton, Kevin Danso, inadvertently reminded Spurs of the quality they are missing when his mistake in the box allowed Brighton to score their second equalizer and break Tottenham’s hearts once more.
The season-ending injury was also not Romero’s fault. In fact, he was unceremoniously pushed by Brian Brobbey and collided with goalkeeper AntonΓn Kinsky as a result. Romero broke down in tears as he exited the field. Will that be Romero’s final moment on the pitch for Tottenham, regardless of whether they manage to avoid relegation?
What does the future hold?
Romero is under contract with Tottenham until 2029. His father, Victor Romero, publicly stated earlier this month that the agreement includes a release clause ranging from $50 million to $70 million, depending on the club acquiring him. However, sources at Tottenham have strongly refuted this claim, asserting that there is no automatic mechanism that can be activated to finalize a deal against Spurs’ wishes.
It remains uncertain whether Tottenham would entertain offers for Romero. Much will hinge on De Zerbi’s assessment of the player as well as, of course, which league they will be competing in next season.
Relegation from the Premier League would represent a critical crisis for Spurs, who have not recorded a profit since 2019 and, according to finance experts Deloitte, possess the seventh-highest wage bill in the league. Spurs would need to navigate reshaping a squad to ensure immediate promotion from the Championship while also balancing financial considerations through player transfers and cost reductions.
AtlΓ©tico Madrid closely monitored Romero last year and may still have an interest, while sources indicate that clubs in Italy and England are observing the situation. There is a sense that a transfer may benefit all parties as Spurs look to redefine their future.
The likelihood of Romero donning a Tottenham shirt again is — much like many aspects of the club at this time — firmly uncertain.
