Cristian Romero future: Roberto De Zerbi reacts to Tottenham Hotspur captain controversy before crucial Everton fixture

Roberto De Zerbi has addressed Cristian Romero's decision to be absent from relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur's final-day Premier League fixture against Everton.

Spurs are bracing themselves for a high-stakes final day as they look to secure their top-flight survival by avoiding defeat against David Moyes's Toffees.

The Lilywhites currently occupy 17th position in the table, sitting just two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United ahead of the ultimate round of fixtures.

The build-up to the crucial encounter has been severely disrupted by the controversial actions of their club captain, who has opted to fly back to Argentina to watch his boyhood team Belgrano face River Plate in a league title playoff rather than support his teammates in London.

De Zerbi reacts to Romero skipping crucial Everton decider

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Addressing the media ahead of the match, De Zerbi noted that not all leaders are the same while confirming that the medical department had formally sanctioned the player's rehabilitation trip.

"Sometimes, not all the leaders are the same," said the Spurs boss via Sky Sports News. "Ben Davies spoke with me and asked to stay today to work with us. Tomorrow, we sleep in the hotel.

"He wanted to stay with the team and teammates. Romero is preparing for the World Cup with an injury. For me, nothing changed.

"He spoke with the medical staff. Together, they decided to go to Argentina to complete rehab with Argentinian medical staff.

"We spoke last week. With me, he has shown he wants to stay with us. I want to be clear, I am not stupid. If I understand that there is a player who thinks for himself before the club, I cannot be the same Roberto.

"With Romero, I can't say nothing. With me, in my time, he has been correct at the beginning until now."

Romero has been sidelined since April with a knee injury sustained against Sunderland, meaning his domestic season was already prematurely brought to an end.

Will Romero play for Spurs again?

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The intense backlash generated by Romero's untimely departure has thrown his long-term future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into serious doubt.

Despite committing his future to the club until 2029 by signing a new contract last August, the aggressive nature of recent transfer speculation may prompt senior officials to re-evaluate his position.

The centre-back has regularly been linked with various high-profile continental departures ever since his initial arrival from Atalanta in 2022.

"For the future, I don't know," admitted De Zerbi. "It is a crucial game for the fans and our club. I don't want answers on Romero."

A catastrophic relegation to the Championship would undoubtedly accelerate the exit of numerous star assets from the North London club.