Cristian Romero has drawn the ire of Tottenham Hotspur supporters with his decision to be absent from the club at arguably the most critical moment in their recent history.
Spurs head into Sunday’s season finale requiring total collective focus as Roberto De Zerbi bids to steer the club clear of a damaging drop to the Championship. The Italian has not minced his words about the gravity of the occasion, declaring it more significant than last season’s Europa League success.
De Zerbi made his position plain, saying Sunday represents the final for Tottenham — not the Europa League showpiece between Bilbao and Manchester United. He framed the match as a matter of pride and dignity for the club, arguing that avoiding relegation carries more meaning than winning silverware.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Tottenham have been ever-present in the top flight since 1978 and were founding members of the Premier League, but that unbroken record now teeters on the brink. Defeat to Everton, coupled with a West Ham win over Leeds, would consign Spurs to the unthinkable. Of the nine possible combinations of results across both fixtures, only one sends Tottenham down — meaning their fate remains squarely in their own hands despite the precarious position they find themselves in.
While the playing squad cannot shoulder all the blame for the club’s plight, with the boardroom set to face serious scrutiny this summer, the players must still stand up and be counted on Sunday. Supporter protests against the ownership are reportedly planned regardless of the outcome.
Many fans feel Romero, even as an injured player, should be present alongside his teammates at such a defining moment. Instead, the Argentine has returned home to watch his boyhood club Belgrano take on River Plate in the Argentine league finale — a decision that has landed badly with significant portions of the fanbase.
De Zerbi acknowledged that he fully understands supporter frustration over Romero’s absence, though he also noted that the defender has always been straightforward and respectful in his dealings with him.
For some supporters, Romero’s emotional response to his injury against Sunderland has taken on a different complexion in hindsight. Suspicions that his distress owed more to World Cup concerns than worry for Tottenham’s season have only hardened in light of recent events.
Reports suggest a gentleman’s agreement of sorts exists that would allow Romero to leave the club this summer should an appropriate offer materialise, with figures in the region of £50 to £60 million considered sufficient to seal a deal. Despite his undoubted quality and World Cup-winning credentials, his disciplinary record and inconsistency have long made him a double-edged presence, and a summer departure may ultimately suit both club and player.
Tottenham are bracing for a substantial overhaul under De Zerbi, and Romero is unlikely to be the only notable exit. Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma are both out of contract and widely expected to move on, while neither is anticipated to play a role on Sunday. Guglielmo Vicario may also have featured for the last time in a Spurs shirt, with Antonin Kinsky set to retain his place for the finale.
Others could follow them through the door. Radu Dragusin has done little to convince and is seen as a position requiring investment, while Pape Matar Sarr may benefit from a change of scenery. Richarlison’s future remains unclear, though fans will hope the Brazilian can conjure one meaningful contribution against his former club to help preserve Tottenham’s top-flight standing.
Joao Palhinha has shown enough to suggest genuine quality, but whether making his loan permanent is prudent given the emergence of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall is a question that will need answering. Randal Kolo Muani, meanwhile, has exhausted the patience of most supporters, with many feeling his stint should already have been brought to a close.
Romero’s chapter at Tottenham looks to be drawing to an end. Whatever he contributed during his time in north London, many fans feel his conduct in the closing weeks of the season has left a lasting mark on how he will be remembered — and if De Zerbi is genuinely intent on building something new, the Argentine’s departure may prove just the first of many changes to come.
