Cristian Romero has spoken out to point fingers at the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy above following the situation against Manchester City on Sunday and a lack of final day transfer activity
Once again it feels like Cristian Romero will have some explaining to do. The Tottenham captain took to social media to claim it was “disgraceful” that Spurs only had 11 fit players to choose from against Manchester City on Sunday.
At worst, it is a clear dig at Tottenham’s lack of transfer activity. At best, it shows a lack of thought and respect towards the club. And even the best case scenario - which he may try to explain away - is really damaging.
This, after all, was on the back of a heroic fight back against Manchester City on Sunday when Spurs came from 2-0 down at half time to draw 2-2. And they did it without Romero who went off ill at half time after, quite frankly, putting in a dreadful performance.
Romero wrote on social media: “Great effort from all my team-mates yesterday. They were incredible. I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available - unbelievable but true and disgraceful,” he continued, accompanying the paragraph with a facepalm emoji.
“We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans.”
Now, this is far from the first time that Romero has used social media to get his message across and also not the first time people have suspected that he may be agitating for a move. Only last month, Romero’s social media post had to be edited to take out the word “lies” when talking about a lack of support from the club’s hierarchy.
It originally read: “At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don't - as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.”
Do not forget that Romero is a World Cup winner, the club captain and, on his day, a world class defender. On his off days he is a liability who loses his head and costs his team.
Romero’s comments cut to the very heart of the club’s problem. Leaders. There is a real lack of leadership on the pitch which they are trying to address in the transfer market. Romero is supposed to be a leader, wears the armband but it almost feels like default because he has been given it among a lack of other obvious candidates. There must be a few now after this last outburst.
Tottenham clearly need to improve their squad. They tried to do it in January but were determined not to panic buy just for effect. That would be a disaster.
Instead, they signed Conor Gallagher for £34m as he became available. Top player, top pro, great attitude. And one for the future in Brazilian Souza. They also got James Wilson from Hearts but he is for the under-21s.
They tried - and failed - for more and Thomas Frank even went public on the fact they tried for Antoine Semenyo. They want Premier League players, good characters and have a strategy. They will go again in the summer. They are determined to stick with and back Frank. Yes, they have been hit by injuries which has left them short.
But this is a club struggling and in need of leadership to get them through some dark days which have been lightened by European results and a march into the Champions League knockouts.
The last thing they need is Romero pressing the self destruct button. Maybe he is a player they could actually well and truly do without because his messaging and his performances are so wrong.